In the past decade, smartphones have experienced a tremendous growth. Smartphones are gaining their momentum with an expected growth rate of 30% every year up until 2012.
As a result smartphones are changing the way people communicate and conduct businesses. The concept of the virtual office is one the rise, which will dramatically change the perception of work. Work will no longer be someplace you go, but something you do.
The research examined the effects of these developments on the generations that are part of the contemporary workforce, the Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y.
Research found out that Smartphone users are really not that different among each other.
5. The world has become “a global village” Preece, 1994 5 Prologue
6. 1.8 billion People are connected to internet Internet World Statistics, 2010 6 Prologue
7. Connectivity in the past only took place behind a desktop computer However, Laptops & Smartphones have significantly changed how we connect with others 7 Prologue
8. Approximately 172 million Smartphones were sold in 2009 Smartphones are expected to form 46% of all mobile handset sales by 2013 Gartner, 2010 8 Prologue
9. Historical sales figures X million units Best, 2007 Gartner, 2010CIA, 2006 Strategy Analytics, 2010 Davies, 2008 9 Prologue
13. “Locationis becoming less important to organizations as work is becoming somethingyou do, notsomeplaceyou go” Helms and Raiszadeh, 2002 13 Prologue
14. More companies than ever are changing the way they work Affected by changingbusiness environment, newtechnology and differentemployeeexpectations 14 Prologue
15. Evolution of Workers Factory Workers Born in the 18th century Extension of the machine Reward in cash Office workers Born in the 20th century Fixed responsibilities Reward in cash and incentives Knowledge workers Born in the 21st century Outcome is more important than activities Reward in cash, incentives, trust and freedom 15 Prologue
16. New technology and different mentality has enabled people to no longer occupy a particular space every single day, Equipped with phones, internet and laptops, people can choose where and when to work Duffy, 1997 16 Prologue
17. Generational Differences Baby Boomers Born between 1946 – 1964 Workaholics Desire quality Question authority In person Feedback is not appreciated Money Title Recognition Work Ethics & Values Communication Feedback & Reward Glass (2008), Hammill (2005), Heffernan (2006), Lamm and Meeks, (2009), Leitschuh (2007) Macky et al (2008); Smola and Sutton (2002) 17 Prologue
18. Generational Differences Generation X Born between 1965 – 1980 Eliminate the task Want structure and direction Sceptical Direct & Immediate Regular feedback Freedom is best reward Work Ethics & Values Communication Feedback & Reward Glass (2008), Hammill (2005), Heffernan (2006), Lamm and Meeks, (2009), Leitschuh (2007) Macky et al (2008); Smola and Sutton (2002) 18 Prologue
19. Generational Differences Generation Y Born between 1981 – 1999 Multitasking Entrepreneurial Tolerant Goal oriented Digital Immediate feedback Meaningful work Freedom Work Ethics & Values Communication Feedback & Reward Glass (2008), Hammill (2005), Heffernan (2006), Lamm and Meeks, (2009), Leitschuh (2007) Macky et al (2008); Smola and Sutton (2002) 19 Prologue
20. Each generation approaches technologydifferently, based on their beliefs and attitudes towards life and change Rosen, 2004 20 Prologue
21. The question remains how does the rise of smartphones affect the technology acceptance among the three generations 21 Prologue
23. Aim The aim of this research is to identify the effects of smartphones on Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y in the changing work environment. 23 Aim & Methodology
24. Methodology The research was conducted using a self administered on-line questionnaire The survey took place between August 27th and September 12th of 2010 24 Aim & Methodology
26. Sampling The study was open to respondents from all regions The study focussed on smartphone users, however data was collected from non users 26 Sampling & Quota