Chapter XII
Understanding the Impact of
Wireless Local Area Networks
on Users and Assessing User
Satisfaction with Wireless Local
Area Networks
Leida Chen
Creighton University, USA
Ravi Nath
Creighton University, USA
Jonathan Cowin
Creighton University, USA
Copyright © 2008, IGI Global, distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
AbstrAct
Recently, wireless local area network (WLAN) has gained increasing popularity. WLAN equipment
manufacturers and practitioners claimed that WLAN had brought dramatic improvements in the forms
of productivity gains and attainment of convenience, fexibility, mobility, and time saving to organiza-
tions and their employees. However, very little academic research has been conducted to verify these
claims and further our understanding of this new phenomenon. By surveying end users and managers,
this study investigates the impact of WLAN on users and their work. User satisfaction with WLAN is also
assessed. This chapter presents the fndings from the study along with a discussion on recent develop-
ment and future trends of WLAN. Finally, recommendations to researchers, managers, WLAN technology
providers, and equipment manufacturers are also provided.