How changing needs change technological practices during a crisis: An explanation using practice theory.

Area of Science:

• Information Systems
• Sociology of Technology
• Crisis Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented a global crisis, prompting an examination of the technology as routine capability perspective.
• The crisis significantly altered daily routines and social communication patterns, influencing technology adoption and usage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic crisis influenced technology use patterns.
• To explore the mediating role of human needs in the relationship between crisis-induced changes and technology practices.
• To extend the technology as routine capability perspective by incorporating the influence of major societal shifts.

Main Methods:

• A pre- and post-pandemic survey design was employed.
• Data were collected from 213 participants before the pandemic and 447 participants after its rapid spread.
• Statistical analysis was used to examine shifts in technology practices and the mediating role of human needs.

Main Results:

• The pandemic crisis significantly shifted four key technology practices: communication, browsing, information sourcing, and material sourcing.
• Human needs for autonomy and relatedness were found to mediate the relationship between the pandemic crisis and changes in technology practices.
• Empirical results largely supported the proposed hypotheses regarding the impact of crisis on technology use.

Conclusions:

• The study supports the mediating role of human needs in explaining how major societal shifts drive technology change.
• Findings extend the technology as routine capability perspective by highlighting the influence of crisis on routine technology use.
• The research offers implications for understanding technology adaptation during global crises and suggests future research directions.