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Decisions concerning Communication Modes and the Influence of Travel Time: A Situational Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Taede Tillema

    (Department of Planning, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, PO Box 800, 9700 AV Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Martin Dijst

    (Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Tim Schwanen

    (Transport Studies Unit, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, England)

Abstract

In this paper we examine the tradeoff between face-to-face (F2F) communication and a telephone call in the situation where people consider discussing something important but not urgent with a good friend located at a distance. In so doing we extend previous studies of communication behaviour in two ways. We develop and employ a situational approach to communication mode choice inspired by time geography and attitude theory, and we devote particular attention to the socio-psychological mechanisms driving communication mode decisions. As a consequence, we can analyse the effects of travel time in the physical world on communication choices via and in combination with those of a person's attitudes, perceptions, desires, and past behaviours. Our data collected from Dutch single-earner and dual-earner households suggest that travel time mediates the effects of goal desire, past behaviour, and perceived time pressure. When the travel time increases, respondents with a strong desire to discuss something important but not urgent trade a preference for F2F contact for a telephone conversation. Those who have frequently used the telephone in a similar situation before have a lower intention to conduct an F2F conversation but only when the travel time is short. Finally, we see that time-pressured respondents are more inclined to use the telephone when the travel time is longer, presumably because F2F communication involves more time in that situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Taede Tillema & Martin Dijst & Tim Schwanen, 2010. "Decisions concerning Communication Modes and the Influence of Travel Time: A Situational Approach," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 42(9), pages 2058-2077, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:42:y:2010:i:9:p:2058-2077
    DOI: 10.1068/a4325
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Taede Tillema & Tim Schwanen & Martin Dijst, 2009. "Communicating something confidential while travelling by train: the use of a telephone conversation versus silent modes," Transportation, Springer, vol. 36(5), pages 541-564, September.
    2. Juan Carrasco & Eric Miller, 2006. "Exploring the propensity to perform social activities: a social network approach," Transportation, Springer, vol. 33(5), pages 463-480, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gafter, Lee M. & Tchetchik, Anat, 2017. "The role of social ties and communication technologies in visiting friends tourism- A GMM simultaneous equations approach," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 343-353.

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