Journal of Organizational Behavior J. Organiz. Behav. 23, 401–423 (2002) Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/job.146 So, how do people really use their handheld devices? An interactive study of wireless technology use y FRANCINE K. SCHLOSSER* University of Waterloo, Canada Summary Using a symbolic interactionist methodology, the diverse meanings assigned by employees to wireless handheld technology are investigated. Interviews were conducted with 11 individuals representing three organizations in the public and private sector enhancing our understanding of technology use within an organizational context. Wireless technology practices are exam- ined as they relate to aspects of self-identity, that is, the imaged self, the relational self, the integrated self and the isolated self. Individuals were able to fit the technology into their work and personal roles, and at the same time, adjusted these roles to fit new expectations arising from the technology. Innovative ways of using the technology were shaped by individual needs as users adapted their message contexts, social etiquette, self-impressions, and ways of doing business. A need to self-regulate emerged with high expectations of availability and the blurring of multiple work and personal roles. Copyright # 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Introduction The most important lesson that can be learned from seeing the different emphases that different civilizations attach to technology is that this process is determined as much by the nature of the tool-user as by the nature of the tool. Rybczynski, 1983, p. 210. We have entered a new era of workplace connectivity through the advent of portable wireless technol- ogies. These tools will provide needed flexibility to juggle work and family aspects of our self- identities, and provide the needed control to preserve this sense of self. However, in this fast-forward age, they may also blur traditional boundaries to such a degree, that the lines delineating our sense of self will become shadowy and inconsequential. Just as our greatest strength is often our greatest weak- ness, we may find that the challenges involved in harnessing technology within our own personal and organizational context will create a much stronger sense of self. How then, do normal people who find Copyright # 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. *Correspondence to: Francine K. Schlosser, Department of Management Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. E-mail: schloss@golden.net y Portions of this paper were presented at the 2001 18th Qualitative Research Conference, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.