A survey of the mutual effects of mobile phone usage on the citizenship culture in developing countries
Journal of Social Studies (JSS), Volume 18, Number 2, 2022: 147-158
S. Maziar Alavi, S. Hossein Hosseini, Ali Hosseini, and Abolfazl Zare Mehrjardi
DOI: 10.21831/jss.v18i2.45051
The Project: In 2020, I joined an in-depth research project with the Model-based Management Systems Institute (SAMAM), in collaboration with the Tehran Municipality, under Dr. Hossein Hosseini’s leadership. My role in this final project phase was to refine and articulate our findings, making the complex insights accessible for academic audiences. One of the major outcomes was the article, “Mobile Phone Usage in Tehran: Sociocultural Implications.” Here, we used a combination of survey techniques and systems thinking to examine how mobile technology impacts Tehran’s social and cultural landscape.
Methodology and Systems Thinking: The research relied heavily on survey methods to gather data on mobile phone usage among Tehran’s residents. Through a carefully structured questionnaire, we engaged over 390 residents, capturing how mobile phones influenced daily interactions, communication, and social norms. By applying systems thinking—notably through causal loop diagrams—we identified the feedback loops that depict mobile technology’s influence on social dynamics in Tehran. This systems approach allowed us to trace complex relationships, showing how mobile phones have integrated into the city’s sociocultural framework.
Key Findings and Reflections: The study revealed that mobile technology is reshaping daily life and cultural practices. Mobile phones have expanded text-based communication, contributing to a shift in public engagement, and even fostering new forms of digital community and cultural exchange. Yet, these shifts also present challenges, such as diminished face-to-face interaction. The findings demonstrate that mobile phones serve both as unifiers and disruptors, revealing the need for balanced approaches to technological integration.
My Role in the Project: In this concluding phase, my task was to synthesize the SAMAM team’s findings into a format that could reach a wider, English-speaking audience. This article, along with a second piece, became central to presenting the project’s insights internationally. It underscored the importance of translating complex, data-driven results into structured research outputs that could inform policy and urban planning efforts.