The Changing Allocation of Activities in Space and Time by the Use of ICT—“Fragmentation” as a New Concept and Empirical Results
Theoretical and empirical research about the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on transport relies on the hypothesis that ICT use leads to a reorganization of activities in time and space thus having as a consequence impacts on travel behavior. The breaking up of activities into discrete pieces by the use of ICT is the starting point of the fragmentation concept that underlies the present article. The concept argues that transport demand increases by the fragmentation of activities and explores the relevant mechanisms for this process. In all, however, the concept is still rather vague. Therefore, the authors discuss some elements of the concept on a theoretical level, in particular the question why individuals "fragment" their activities. In the empirical section they use a data set about activities, ICT use and travel behavior in Germany to find out how far an activity like work, which is particularly apt for fragmentation, shows signs of temporal and spatial disintegration. With the help of a cluster analysis they identify groups with different "fragmentation behavior" and investigate if a statistically significant relation exists between fragmentation behavior and ICT use. Accordingly, the focus of the article lies on the impact of ICT use on the performance of activities by different behavioral groups. The link to travel behavior is made by examining mode choices for different purposes and travel related attitudes.
Conceptualising e-working: exploring innovative work practices for optimising work and travel efficiency
The inception of 'third wave' Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has the potential of enabling innovative e-working practices in organisations beyond the traditional home teleworking. This paper conceptualises the new e-working practices adopted by 'lead users' through grounded theory analysis. The findings suggest that lead users have adopted five different types of e-working strategies to help them optimise their work and travel efficiency. This study also found several barriers, such as organisational culture and employee preferences, which may reduce e-working. The authors hope that by conceptualising the various types of e-working practices, they will provide researchers and practitioners with the clarity needed to apply these concepts to their research work.
Verkehr und/oder Telekommunikation? - Eine Untersuchung zu physischen und virtuellen Raumueberwindungsprozessen
Moderne Kommunikationsmedien ueben einen immer staerkeren Effekt auf das aktionsraeumliche Verhalten von Individuen aus. Mit der inzwischen fast flaechendeckenden Verbreitung und zunehmend auch privaten Nutzung der Kommunikationsmedien, insbesondere Internet, e-mail, Telefax, Mobiltelefon, ist die Verkehrswissenschaft aufgefordert, diese Kommunikationsprozesse neben dem physischen Verkehr als virtuellen Verkehr mit einzubeziehen. Im Beitrag wird der Versuch unternommen, zu klaeren, ob und inwieweit Zusammenhaenge zwischen physischer und virtueller Mobilitaet bestehen. Zugleich soll geklaert werden, ob in Abhaengigkeit der siedlungsstrukturellen Gegebenheiten Unterschiede im Mobilitaetsverhalten bestehen. Aus den Ergebnissen der Befragung zu Verkehrs- und Kommunikationsverhalten koennen Schlussfolgerungen fuer die Raumordnung und insbesondere fuer die regionale Verkehrsplanung gezogen werden.