Exploration of location-based services adoption

The purpose of this paper is to explore aspects of user perceptions of their use of location-based services. As mobile technologies become more ubiquitous in the general population, it is reasonable to assume that individuals will consume services and software to enhance their aspirations and entertainment desires. This study begins by constructing a location-based service prototype simulation. It then conducts an experiment and analysis based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. A survey was developed to extract usage information from participants, followed by an analysis of the results using PLS. The analysis shows significant indicators that suggest behaviour patterns of early adopters of location-based services are being observed. This paper applies the UTAUT model using a location-based service experiment to understand the underlying perceptions of individuals who may adopt location-based services. The authors study the effects of multiple parameters on the use of a location-based service simulation. Through this simulation and a following survey, current perceptions of LBS are investigated and insights gained

The value of government mandated location-based services in emergencies in Australia

The adoption of mobile technologies for emergency management has the capacity to save lives. In Australia in February 2009, the Victorian Bushfires claimed 173 lives, the worst peace-time disaster in the nation’s history. The Australian government responded swiftly to the tragedy by going to tender for mobile applications that could be used during emergencies, such as mobile alerts and location services. These applications have the ability to deliver personalized information direct to the citizen during crises, complementing traditional broadcasting mediums like television and radio. Indeed governments have a responsibility to their citizens to safeguard them against both natural and human-made hazards and today national security has grown to encapsulate such societal and economic securitization. However, some citizens and lobby groups have emphasized that such breakthrough technologies need to be deployed with caution as they are fraught with ethical considerations, including the potential for breaches in privacy, security and trust. The other problem is that real world implementations of national emergency alerts have not always worked reliably and their value has come into question as a result. This paper provides a big picture view of the value of government-mandated location-based services during emergencies, and the challenges ensuing from their use