Wireless Grids: Assessing a New Technology from a User Perspective

Abstract:

The objective of this paper is to assess the value of wireless grids from the perspective of users. In a ubiquitous information environment, wireless grids allow the ad hoc sharing of resources (e.g., microphones, screens, processing power) of edge devices (e.g., mobile phone, laptop, PDA). Wireless grids are one of the emerging wireless communication concepts that have been developed in university and industry research laboratories. So far, literature about wireless grids has tackled some of the technical and policy issues about the technology. This paper provides the first empirical study about wireless grid technology from the user perspective. Using Rogers’ diffusion of innovations model, this paper focuses on the future diffusion of this technology. Using the results of two focus group meetings, we suggest that the introduction of the technology and its future diffusion will be a complex process. The future acceptance and use of this technology requires not only social and mental changes to move from one stage to another in the diffusion process, but also changes in the coordination and pricing mechanisms, and even changes in the technology itself.

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