This thesis aimed to study the everyday use of ICT-enabled memory aids in order to understand and to describe the technological mediations that are brought by them (i.e. how they shape/mediate experiences and actions of their users). To do this, a post-phenomenological approach was appropriated. Postphenomenology is a modified, hybrid phenomenology that tries to overcome the limitations of phenomenology. As for theoretical framework, ‘Technological Mediation’ was adopted to conduct the study. Technological Mediation as a theory provides concepts suitable for explorations of the phenomenon of human-technology relation. It was believed that this specific choice of approach and theoretical framework would provide a new way of exploring the use of concrete technologies in everyday life of human beings and the implications that this use might have on humans’ lives. The study was conducted in the city of Växjö, Sweden. Data was collected by conducting twelve face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Collected data was, then, analyzed by applying the concepts within the theoretical framework – Technological Mediation - to them. The results of this study provided a list of ICT-enabled devices and services that participants were using in their everyday life in order to support their memory such as: calendars, alarms, notes, bookmarks, etc. Furthermore, this study resulted in a detailed description of how these devices and services shaped/mediated the experiences and the actions of their users.

Since the turn of the new millennium the UK construction industry has witnessed the naissance of a new paradigm known as ICT-enabled collaborative working. Advocates of this new approach believe that the adoption of ICTs will lead to better project information exchange, communications, integrated processes and therefore more efficient collaborative working. It is expected that ICT-enabled collaborative working will not only overcome the industry's many inherent problems, such as its adversarial and fragmented nature, but that it will also facilitate benefits for all involved. This supposition is based upon the recognition that its exploitation has proven successful at transforming other industries. The EngD thesis pertains to a four-year study on two methodologies currently applied under the concept of ICT-enabled collaborative working, 'Collaborative Prototyping' (CP) and the use of 'Construction Project Extranets' (CPE). The research project utilised literature reviews, case studies, project observations, active involvement, surveys, interviews and workshops to develop expertise and knowledge within the subject area. It shows that a large disparity exists between the use of a shared 3D model and the use of CPEs to promote collaborative working. Conversely, whilst CPEs have become the de facto ICT-enabled approach to seeking improvements in project efficiency (due to their potential to enhance communications, integration and collaboration) they are not being utilised effectively. This was attributed to the use of inadequate procedures that fail to provide proper consideration of all the necessary issues to ensure successful implementation, application and management of the CPE. As a result, project teams are failing to ascertain the full potential benefits offered by such collaboration tools. The research demonstrates that to overcome this, project teams require the development of an industry best-fit framework that defines proficient procedures. It highlights the main factors for inclusion within a protocol. Furthermore, it provides a simple form to promote greater awareness of the key factors that impinge on the successful application of CPE. The thesis concludes by outlining a number of recommendations for consideration by the industry, along with requirements for future work.

Studies in recent years have revealed that use of ICT can significantly impact knowledge sharing in organizations by enhancing the knowledge sharing process, reducing knowledge sharing barriers, and introducing technology barriers. While this has been identified in many studies and a significant research has been carried out to identify knowledge sharing barriers, there exists a considerable dearth of research when the question of ‘which knowledge sharing barriers can ICT reduce and how?’ is posed. This thesis aims to address this question by studying the case of an organization using ICT for knowledge sharing. The study was carried out using questionnaire and interview findings and results showed that if ICT is effectively used, a number of knowledge sharing barriers - in addition to time and space barriers - can be successfully reduced. Organizational and individual knowledge sharing barriers saw most reduction by ICT while technology barriers did not see any reduction by use of ICT alone. This is in coherence with different studies that use of ICT for knowledge sharing introduces its own technology barriers. However the results show that if employees are tech-savvy and management considerably supports employee involvement in the process of design and deployment of ICT enabled knowledge sharing, technology barriers can also be greatly reduced and even entirely eliminated.

ICTs have enabled increased mobility and created a new era of workplace connectivity. Due to changes in work organization, global operations, increased mobility, and the new opportunities they are creating; work requires more coordination, more travel and a higher frequency of boundary spanning. ICTs have infiltrated into the personal life of individuals, while similarly, having an increasing impact on how organizations manage their workers‘ work-life balance. This research investigates the work boundary negotiation process in ICT-enabled work.Using an in-depth case study supplemented with visual data, this thesis studies the case of Sigma, an international consulting firm, that serves clients located in a large geographical area. It explores how consultants exhibiting mobile work practices, use ICTs to negotiate work boundaries. It draws on the structurational model of technology and complements it with the boundary object construct. The utilisation of this combined approach allows further understanding of work boundary negotiation.The research reveals that some ICTs as technological artefacts are boundary objects bridging between different groups of actors, crossing work boundaries, and allowing actors to negotiate their work boundaries while challenging traditional boundaries. Thus, allowing consultants to use their ICTs (specifically their smartphone) to negotiate their work boundaries on a need to basis. The boundary negotiation process (as revealed by the structuration process) is the means by which consultants try to make the most out of existing social structures – in this case specifically domination – in their organizational context. The ICT becomes a source of power and is mainly used to manifest domination over available resources. Consultants use them to maintain control over their life, increase their legitimacy and convey that they are professional experts. ICTs allow consultants to continuously redefine their work boundaries which become dynamic, fluid and contextual; the research reaffirms the sociotechnical nature of work boundaries.The thesis also develops a conceptual model of work boundary negotiation that conceptually illustrates how boundary negotiation is the outcome of the structuration process and the negotiation of existing structures of domination, legitimation and signification.

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