TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose Inspired by a task-based approach, this study aims to investigate the transformability of digital nomadic workers’ information practices by capturing the related social and technical perspectives. It concentrates on conducting an exploration of the characteristics of nomadic work from two standpoints: mobile social practices adopted by nomadic workers in their unsteady work activities and the used technical approaches.Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a clear understanding and basic insights about nomadic working trends by interviewing 21 Omani digital nomads working in large organisations or small- and medium-sized enterprises, corporation workers, creative freelancers and workers who have a multi-functional set of competencies.Findings Although nomadic work is still in the early stages in Oman, the study results indicate that digital nomads are able to create transient work strategies that allow them to establish their own efficient workplaces. They also have the essential abilities to take advantage of technology to support their work achievement. The findings from such research could be used to develop general thinking among workers and organisations about the role of mobile work in improving work performance and investing in modern computing and information technology applications to facilitate successful remote working.Practical implications The study finding can help decision makers to address socio-technical matters by ensuring that cafes, airport lounges, public places and co-working spaces can meet the particular requirements of digital nomadic workers. Additionally, the study provides programmers with useful context on workers’ behaviour in relation to distance work, which could encourage them to develop new and local applications and potentially boost nomadic work.Originality/value There have been no empirical studies exist that cover key issues related to nomadic workers in the region. This study is the first attempt to provide primary indications that describe and define the nature of nomadic work in Oman by exploring the workers’ information practices in the nomadic environment. The study determines the information context of nomadic work, mainly focussing on how these dynamic contexts frame their information practices.
VL  - 68
IS  - 4/5
SN  - 0024-2535
DO  - 10.1108/GKMC-10-2018-0082
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-10-2018-0082
AU  - Al-Hadi Nehad Ali
AU  - Al-Aufi Ali Saif
PY  - 2019
Y1  - 2019/01/01
TI  - Information context and socio-technical practice of digital nomads
T2  - Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 431
EP  - 450
Y2  - 2024/04/19
ER  -