This article aims to propose some elements for a theory of mobility. Mobility is the structural attribute of an age that heavily relies on information and mobile devices as identified by observed, cross-contextual research. It pervades most work and social organizations in various cultural and institutional expressions. Organizational structures rely heavily on the relationships of construction and utilization of information and on the context of interaction of the various actors. This paper explores issues of mobility within work activities of two distinct roles in a police force in the UK. Departing from the concept of mobility as interaction, this article seeks to put forth a more comprehensive theory of how to study the phenomenon of mobility within work organizations and across various roles. It advances the idea that mobility is linked strongly to work conditions and that in order to increase such state within organizations, we must use a triangulated analysis to understand both the relation with the environment of work as well as the relation with information.

Abstract: Fuelled by strong market forces as well as by increasingly ubiquitous and pervasive mobile technologies, the end of the previous and the beginning of this century has seen shifts in working practices and the application of mobile technologies. One such change concerns the work of professionals. This paper aims to discuss the emergence of the mobile professional, through a study of more than sixty professionals in Tokyo during 2002, and through a theoretical analysis of the changes to their work practices and technology use. The paper concludes that we must broaden our conception of mobility and conceptualise mobile professional work in terms of locational, operational, and interactional mobility. We, furthermore, characterise several pertinent aspects of mobile professional work such as: ICT as mobility-booster; maintaining multiple on-going interactions; the importance of personal networks; and places as material foundations for interaction.

Abstract: This paper examines the role of mobile communication, mobile tools and work practices in the context of organizations, especially knowledge-based organizations. Today, organizations are highly complex and diverse. Not surprisingly, various solutions to incorporating mobile tools and mobile communication in organizations have been devised. Challenges to technological development and research on mobile communication are presented.