The Internet and the space–time flexibility of daily activities: A case study of Beijing, China

Abstract Although most existing studies support that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can relax traditional space–time constraints in relation to activities, direct empirical studies that measure the level and influenced extent of such constraints are insufficient. Additionally, the variation and interrelations between spatial and temporal dimensions of fixity constraints are rarely taken into account. This study uses self-reported flexibility from activity diary data to capture two key dimensions of space–time constraints: (1) how the Internet became embedded differently in various types of activities and (2) the interaction relationships between Internet use, temporal flexibility, and spatial flexibility. From 709 respondents in Beijing in 2012, 7-day GPS-facilitated activity diaries were collected and used to assess perceived space–time flexibility and Internet use for each activity. A structural equations model was applied to investigate how Internet use influences the temporal and spatial flexibility of activities, after controlling for individuals’ socio-economic attributes, activity features, and spatial factors. The findings suggest that Internet use increases the temporal flexibility of simultaneous activities, as well as the spatial fixity of activities. This supports that ICT use could lead to new constraints due to the need to maintain connectivity, thus making some activities more fixed in space.