Towards a Specific Theory of Task-Technology Fit for Mobile Information Systems

Mobile information systems hold great potential to support organizational processes. This paper addresses how to realize that potential, the issues involved, the challenges to overcome, and accordingly, the effective strategy to deploy. Based on Goodhue and Thompson's (1995) general theory of task-technology fit and on Zigurs and Buckland's (1998) specific theory for task-technology fit for group support systems, we propose a specific theory of task-technology fit for mobile information systems. Task-technology fit is determined as a three-way match between the profiles of managerial tasks (operationalized by difficulty, interdependence and time-criticality), mobile information systems (operationalized by functionality as notification, com-munication, information access, and data processing; form factors; and location-awareness), and individual use context (operationalized by distraction, movement, quality of network connection, and previous experience). The analysis shows that use situations characterized by high distraction and poor quality of network connection are particularly challenging for the design and development of mobile information systems, requiring special attention to form factors (intuitive user interfaces and simple menu structures), and verification features.