Social Inclusion and Social-Technical Issues (SIG SI)
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Paper Type
Complete
Paper Number
1246
Description
The aim of this study was to explore migrants' experiences and perceptions of mobile resources specifically developed for integration purposes in Sweden. Thematic content analysis of semi-structured focus group interviews with newly arrived migrants, guided by the Indicators for Integration Framework, was used. The findings suggest that lack of knowledge about existing applications and skepticism towards mobile technology as integration support in combination with time pressure and limited digital skills impede migrants’ use of mobile applications for integration. Further, technical hurdles stemming from owning outdated smartphones and technical problems with applications prevent migrants from uploading the applications. Finally, fear of surveillance is another obstacle for using applications requiring social media logins for authentication. The study reveals the friction between developers and providers of mobile resources for integration and the users’ perspective on these resources, offering implications for the development of mobile technology for migrant integration.
Recommended Citation
Berbyuk Lindström, Nataliya; Sofkova Hashemi, Sylvana; and Koutsikouri, Dina, "Smartphones and Migrant Integration: Mobile Technology as a Bridging Tool between Migrants and Host Societies" (2021). AMCIS 2021 Proceedings. 4.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2021/social_inclusion/social_inclusion/4
Smartphones and Migrant Integration: Mobile Technology as a Bridging Tool between Migrants and Host Societies
The aim of this study was to explore migrants' experiences and perceptions of mobile resources specifically developed for integration purposes in Sweden. Thematic content analysis of semi-structured focus group interviews with newly arrived migrants, guided by the Indicators for Integration Framework, was used. The findings suggest that lack of knowledge about existing applications and skepticism towards mobile technology as integration support in combination with time pressure and limited digital skills impede migrants’ use of mobile applications for integration. Further, technical hurdles stemming from owning outdated smartphones and technical problems with applications prevent migrants from uploading the applications. Finally, fear of surveillance is another obstacle for using applications requiring social media logins for authentication. The study reveals the friction between developers and providers of mobile resources for integration and the users’ perspective on these resources, offering implications for the development of mobile technology for migrant integration.
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