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Abstract
Technological mediation describes the process where internet service providers (ISPs) translate telecommunications network innovations from the "technological frontier" to their particular commercial context. Although the original conception defined three obstacles during this process (technical, commercial, and structural), how these obstacles unfold has yet to be fully investigated. Using a qualitative case study with a rural ISP, we identify extensions to the model, in particular emotional response during mediation and their relationship to the dynamic elements mediation process. This illuminates how commercial market maturation impacts the organizations adopting these technologies, and the impacts of experience on the dynamic nature of technological mediation.

Abstract
Technological mediation describes the process where internet service providers (ISPs) translate telecommunications network innovations from the "technological frontier" to their particular commercial context. Although the original conception defined three obstacles during this process (technical, commercial, and structural), how these obstacles unfold has yet to be fully investigated. Using a qualitative case study with a rural ISP, we identify extensions to the model, in particular emotional response during mediation and their relationship to the dynamic elements mediation process. This illuminates how commercial market maturation impacts the organizations adopting these technologies, and the impacts of experience on the dynamic nature of technological mediation.

PurposeHelping others use information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as mobile phones, can be beneficial for individuals and communities. In urban refugee communities, displaced and living far from home, collective behaviors with mobile phones can generate a sense of belonging. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential for these offline behaviors to generate a sense of community among urban refugees.Design/methodology/approachUsing quantitative evidence, the authors examined the relationship between collective behaviors, such as sharing or helping with a mobile phone, and sense of community. The authors analyzed survey data collected from urban refugees in Rwanda via multiple regression to test hypotheses related to the impact of collective behaviors on sense of community, as well as the mediating role of ICT self-efficacy and gender.FindingsThe findings suggest that collective behaviors with mobile phones have a positive relationship with sense of community, driven primarily by providing assistance as compared to sharing. ICT self-efficacy was positively related to sense of community. However, collective behaviors' impacts differed by gender, suggesting that social dynamics influence this relationship.Originality/valueWhile the extant literature highlights the various roles of mobile phones in refugees' lives, less is known about the social aspects of use and its potential to help overcome isolation by fostering a sense of community. The authors extend this literature to a novel context (urban refugees in the Global South), testing a model that incorporates other factors that may play a role (e.g. self-efficacy and gender). These findings are valuable to urban refugees, due to difficulties in re-building a sense of community and increased ICT access.

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine two humanitarian information coordination bodies. The goals of both coordination bodies are the same, to find mechanisms for multiple organizations, engaged in humanitarian relief, to coordinate efforts around information technology and management. Despite the similarity in goals, each coordination body has taken a different path, one toward defining the problem and solution in a more technical sense and the other as defining the problem and solution as more organizational in nature.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops case studies of two coordinating bodies using qualitative methodologies.FindingsThe data suggest that coordination bodies which pursue problems requiring low levels of organizational change are more likely to have visible successes. Coordination bodies that pursue a more challenging agenda, one that aims for information management or management of information technology in ways that require organizational change, are likely to face greater challenges and experience more failures.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper only examines two coordination bodies at one point in time thus claims can not be made about all coordination bodies and all information coordination efforts.Originality/valueIn a time where coordination bodies are seen as an answer to the problem of information sharing during disasters, it is essential to gain understanding concerning the success of these efforts.