A Theory of Task/Technology Fit for Mobile Applications to Support Organizational Processes

In this paper, we propose a theory of task/technology fit for mobile applications to support organizational processes (tasks). We adapt the concept of task/technology fit developed by Zigurs and Buckland (1998) and Goodhue and Thompson (1995), to account for the fact that mobile applications, as a type of IT infrastructure, potentially cover a wider area of tasks than the specific applications discussed in the earlier papers. Our analysis of the technology reveals a general trade-off between functionality and mobility, which has implications for application development. Our theory suggests that advancements that ensure compatibility between the IS requirements of a task and the IS capabilities of an application are ultimately more successful. We support our findings with reported case studies, as well as with insights from a project that we conducted in cooperation with Motorola. In the conclusions, we discuss the concept as part of a more comprehensive framework and suggest future research directions.