Understanding the Impact of Wireless Local Area Networks on Users and Assessing User Satisfaction with Wireless Local Area Networks

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, flexibility, mobility, and time saving to organizations 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 article presents the findings from the study along with a discussion on recent development and future trends of WLAN. Finally, recommendations to researchers, managers, WLAN technology providers and equipment manufacturers are also provided.