London Black Cab Drivers have a rich and documented history of mobile work practices that are geographically distributed and driven by situated choices for everyday work. This dissertation aims to study the evolution of such work practices since the introduction of mobile Information and Communication Technology (mICT) aids. The theoretical framework for this research is based on studies of taxi drivers' work practices, mobility research, computer supported co-operative work and organisational change promoted by IS interventions. The ontology of this research pinpoints the factors influencing the situated and self-referential choice attached to the use of mICTs when carrying out planned and unplanned work. The case study references a 420-year history of “old”, established work practices as a comparison framework. When compared with the “new” and situated choice of mICT-supported work, it becomes apparent that there is has been a change in the dynamics of how this type of work is actually completed. Embedding and mixing elements of self-referenced work – as discretionary and independent – with working practices in which mutual interdependencies are supported by the use of mICT aids seems to provide the case for a re-negotiation of the working practices model as well as its associated organisational forms, together with a social shift in the definition of the role and skills required to perform this type of mobile work.

The empirical data have been sourced from one-to-one interviews and video recordings using a combination of ethnomethodological and interpretative approaches for the data analysis. This dissertation makes a theoretical and practical contribution to the understanding of the self-referenced aspects of mobile work. It furthers offers methodological insights for studying mICT-supported work. Finally, it provides a formative evaluation of the new organisational forms emerging as mICT has been introduced to everyday Black Cab work.