Exploring the relationship between impulsivity and decision-making on mobile devices.

Mobile devices offer a common platform for both leisure and work-related tasks but this has resulted in a blurred boundary between home and work. In this paper we explore the security implications of this blurred boundary, both for the worker and the employer. Mobile workers may not always make optimum security-related choices when ‘on the go’ and more impulsive individuals may be particularly affected as they are considered more vulnerable to distraction. In this study we used a task scenario, in which 104 users were asked to choose a wireless network when responding to work demands while out of the office. Eye-tracking data was obtained from a subsample of 40 of these participants in order to explore the effects of impulsivity on attention. Our results suggest that impulsive people are more frequent users of public devices and networks in their day-to-day interactions and are more likely to access their social networks on a regular basis. However they are also likely to make risky decisions when working on-the-go, processing fewer features before making those decisions. These results suggest that those with high impulsivity may make more use of the mobile Internet options for both work and private purposes but they also show attentional behavior patterns that suggest they make less considered security-sensitive decisions. The findings are discussed in terms of designs that might support enhanced deliberation, both in the moment and also in relation to longer term behaviors that would contribute to a better work-life balance.

The impact of interconnectedness in a triadic relationship between a financial services provider, IFAs, and customers.

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of interconnectedness between a long-term savings and investments provider, Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) and customers. Ritter’s (2000) framework of the effect of interconnectedness was used to analyse this triadic relationship. Conceptual studies of triadic business relationships are scarce in marketing and organisational research (Blakenburg & Johanson, 1992; Havila, Johnson & Thilenius, 2004; Ritter, 2000). However, the applicability of a triadic relationship has been tested in a number of case studies (Andersson & Mattsson, 2004; Cunningham & Pyatt, 1989; Jaaskelainen, Kuivalainen & Saarenketo, 2000; Narayandas, 2002; Odorici & Corrado, 2004; Pardo & Salle, 1994; Trimachi, 2002). This study was conducted in collaboration with one of the UK’s largest long-term savings and investments providers. A substantial proportion of the provider’s business is conducted through IFAs and thus their significance as a major stakeholder. Indeed, the majority of sales in the long-term savings and investments industry in the UK are realised through IFAs. Academic studies (Gough, 2005; Gough & Nurullah, 2009) have indicated that IFAs are the strongest distribution channel in the industry. Thus, by analysing the impact of the interconnectedness in this relationship, a strategy that can increase the relationship performance can be proposed. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a study that investigates the effect of the interconnectedness in this triadic relationship has not been established. In addition, the regulatory environment which continues to face change such as the recent implementation of Retail Distribution Review (RDR) on 1st January 2013 will make the relationship more rather than less complex.