According to a Telenor Asia study, 63% of Pakistanis believe mobile devices and mobile technology have significantly improved their careers and aided in the development of their skills.
The report, based on a survey of over 8,000 mobile internet users in eight South and Southeast Asian countries, demonstrates how the workplace has evolved exponentially over the last three years as a result of the increasing influence of mobile devices in people’s daily lives.
The “Digital Lives Decoded” study, released in conjunction with Telenor Asia’s 25th anniversary, examines how respondents across Asia are using their mobile phones to adapt to changing realities as new work cultures emerge following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The research was carried out in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
According to Jorgen Rostrup, head of Telenor Asia, the study pointed to mobile connectivity as an enabler of productivity, progress, flexibility, and economic opportunity. “Yet, we continue to see disparities in how this technology is used between urban and rural populations, large corporations and SMEs, industries, and even between executives and their junior counterparts,” Mr Rostrup said.
Mobile devices are now viewed as a source of revenue. Almost half of those polled for the study believe mobile devices have provided work and income opportunities that were not available prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In terms of quality of life, the study found that mobile technology has not only increased income-generating opportunities, but has also improved quality of life.
Using a mobile device for work significantly improved the quality of life for nearly half of the respondents. In Pakistan, 46 percent of respondents believe mobile technology has improved their quality of life significantly. According to the study, 44 percent of women believe their mobile devices give them better access to work and income opportunities.
Furthermore, people are still concerned about their abilities to keep up with evolving technology.
The lack of trust also prevents people from reaching their full potential when using mobile devices at work.
Irfan Wahab Khan, Chief Executive Officer of Telenor Pakistan, said: “This is a defining moment for businesses as companies around the world are adapting to new and effective ways of work. In addition, mobile technology has unlocked new revenue streams and empowered individuals in new ways; and the Pakistani workforce, including freelancers, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts to understand and utilise the opportunities surrounding mobile connectivity.”
According to the study, eight out of 10 respondents felt their performance and productivity have increased due to mobile technologies, with more than half believing their personal productivity has gone up by 20pc or more.
