Mobile phones, family and personal relationships: The case of Indonesian micro-entrepreneurs

Abstract

In the Indonesian context, the use of mobile phones has had many effects on the economic as well as the social fabric of communities. However, these impacts have not been thoroughly examined, particularly in relation to micro-enterprises, productivity or wellbeing. This paper evaluates the impact of mobiles from the perspective of human development where ‘development’ is seen as the expansion of people’s choices and information and communications technologies (ICTs) are seen as supporting these choices. To test theories of development, it presents an empirical study undertaken in Indonesia about the impact of mobile phones on micro-entrepreneurs’ wellbeing. Results show that micro-entrepreneurs regarded family is the most important aspect of their lives and that their own wellbeing was treated the same at that of their families. Accordingly, mobile phones are considered as a very significant force to maintain and improve their relationships with family, relatives and friends. Mobile phones contribute significantly to wellbeing.