A framework for mobile business applications 373 Figure 1 The business value of m-business applications High business value Value of the m-business of data or Using time-sensitivity of the data or transaction and user mobility as the two dimensions managers can categorise business activities into classes of applications that have the potential to contribute a low, medium, or high level of value to the business by making these applications wireless. This approach allows managers to identify the business processes where wireless applications are likely to bring the most value to the company Once these business processes have been identified, managers will need to determine which type of value (i.e. efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation) they expect the m-business application to produce. The second part of this framework presents a technology-independent and application-oriented framework for m-business opportunities that will guide managers to arrive at specific wireless applications that will meet a organisations goals and objectives 2.2 Part 11: a technology-independent and application-oriented framework for m-business applications A technology-independent and application-oriented framework is a common approach used in research dealing with emerging technologies. Hammer and Mangurian [15] developed the impact/value framework to outline the business values of communication technology in 1987. Based on Hammer and Mangurian's research, Riggins [16] expanded the impact/value framework to identify web-based electronic commerce opportunities his study will adapt the impact/value framework to study the business opportunities made possible by wireless technologies, and the new framework can also serve as the cornerstone for future research in this area Unlike the three impacts of communication technology (time, geography, and relationships) in the original impact/value framework by Hammer and Mangurian [15] the present framework describes the four dimensions of m-business -time, mobility relationship, and location. First, m-business applications dramatically compress the time required for accessing information and completing business processes. Second, besides allowing organisations to overcome geographic limitations, m-business applications grant users a high level of mobility, making information accessible from anywhere at anytimeA framework for mobile business applications 373 Figure 1 The business value of m-business applications Using time-sensitivity of the data or transaction and user mobility as the two dimensions, managers can categorise business activities into classes of applications that have the potential to contribute a low, medium, or high level of value to the business by making these applications wireless. This approach allows managers to identify the business processes where wireless applications are likely to bring the most value to the company. Once these business processes have been identified, managers will need to determine which type of value (i.e. efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation) they expect the m-business application to produce. The second part of this framework presents a technology-independent and application-oriented framework for m-business opportunities that will guide managers to arrive at specific wireless applications that will meet a organisation’s goals and objectives. 2.2 Part II: a technology-independent and application-oriented framework for m-business applications A technology-independent and application-oriented framework is a common approach used in research dealing with emerging technologies. Hammer and Mangurian [15] developed the impact/value framework to outline the business values of communication technology in 1987. Based on Hammer and Mangurian’s research, Riggins [16] expanded the impact/value framework to identify web-based electronic commerce opportunities. This study will adapt the impact/value framework to study the business opportunities made possible by wireless technologies, and the new framework can also serve as the cornerstone for future research in this area. Unlike the three impacts of communication technology (time, geography, and relationships) in the original impact/value framework by Hammer and Mangurian [15], the present framework describes the four dimensions of m-business – time, mobility, relationship, and location. First, m-business applications dramatically compress the time required for accessing information and completing business processes. Second, besides allowing organisations to overcome geographic limitations, m-business applications grant users a high level of mobility, making information accessible from anywhere at anytime