Life interrupted, but performance improved: Rethinking the influence of technology-mediated interruptions at work and personal life
Purpose: This paper aims to analyze the effects of the technology-mediated interruptions on the conflicts and the performance of individuals during their work and non-work time.
Theoretical framework: This work is based on the Conservation of Resources Theory, focusing on conflict and quality of life in the digital age.
Design/methodology/approach: To evaluate the influence of technology interruptions on conflicts and performance, we applied a survey to management and accounting professionals and obtained 399 valid questionnaires. We analyzed the data through Partial Least Squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings: The data analysis demonstrates that interruptions – as expected – contribute to increasing conflicts both at work and at non-work. However, contrary to previous research, interruptions can also increase performance in both instances.
Research, Practical & Social implications: The proposed approach has a practical value for teachers and students of human-computer interaction and IT practitioners in any other professional environment where the technology represents a channel between personal and professional life.
Originality/value: This research measured and analyzed the effects of technology-mediated interruptions on conflict and individual performance in Brazil. The results showed that technology-mediated interruptions are related to the quality of life and leisure time, showing that conflicts due to technology are not a buzzword. Also, research findings present a new research path as interruptions that positively influence the individual’s performance are not fully understood.
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- Environmental engineering not elsewhere classified
- Communications engineering not elsewhere classified
- Mobile computing
- Educational technology and computing
- Technology management
- Innovation management
- Communication technology and digital media studies
- Sociology and social studies of science and technology
- Research, science and technology policy
- Information modelling, management and ontologies
- Business information management (incl. records, knowledge and intelligence)
- Humanities and social sciences curriculum and pedagogy (excl. economics, business and management)
- Human resources management
- Environmental management
- Environmental management
- Information systems organisation and management
- Small business organisation and management
- Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified
- Educational administration, management and leadership
- Organisation and management theory
- Organisational planning and management