Mobile Phone Use in a Developing Country: A Malaysian Empirical Study

In 2006, there were 16.2 million registered mobile phone users in Malaysia, a country with a population of approximately 27.5 million. Despite the popularity of mobile phone use in developing countries such as Malaysia, little research has been done on both the negative and positive aspects of mobile phone usage in urban areas. This study seeks to fill this research gap by providing a comprehensive investigation of the factors influencing citizen's satisfaction and dissatisfaction with daily mobile phone use. After a literature review to identify positive and negative factors associated with mobile phone use, a survey was conducted of Malaysian urban residents. The validity of the study's constructs, criterion and content was confirmed. The findings indicate that an increase in mobile phone peer chatting and family coordination will significantly increase overall mobile phone satisfaction (OMPS). An increase in mobile phone radio-frequency radiation health concern, public disturbance, social interruption and road accidents will significantly decrease OMPS. Suggestions are given on promoting each of the positive factors and reducing each of the negative ones.

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