1
|
Pan X, Zhao X, Shen H, Chen Q. Do human work interruptions bring positive affective responses?-Based on the mediation of coping potential and the moderation of polychronicity. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2023; 240:104038. [PMID: 37742373 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the impact of human work interruptions on positive affective responses and their underlying mechanisms in the Chinese context. In the first stage, this study conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 29 employees representing diverse industries. The grounded theory research method was used to extract the construct of human work interruption, identify its core attributes, and capture the naturally emerging storyline of "human work interruptions - coping potential - polychronicity - positive affective responses". In the second stage, a theoretical model was constructed and validated using 362 questionnaires. The results indicate that in the Chinese context: (1) human work interruptions can trigger positive affective responses; (2) coping potential mediates the relationship between human work interruptions and positive affective responses; (3) when individuals have a higher level of polychronicity, the impact of human work interruptions on positive affective responses via coping potential is enhanced. The findings of this study effectively address the hypothesis of the "positive aspect" of work interruptions proposed by management scholars and contribute to the existing literature on work interruptions and positive affective responses. Moreover, this research provides practical and theoretical implications for managers and employees in managing and coping with human work interruptions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Pan
- Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, West Yan'an Road, Changning District, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaokang Zhao
- Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, West Yan'an Road, Changning District, Shanghai, China.
| | - Huali Shen
- Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, West Yan'an Road, Changning District, Shanghai, China
| | - Qilong Chen
- College of Marxism, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, NanJing 210000, JiangSu, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stangl FJ, Riedl R. Interruption science as a research field: Towards a taxonomy of interruptions as a foundation for the field. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1043426. [PMID: 37034958 PMCID: PMC10074991 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1043426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Interruptions have become ubiquitous in both our personal and professional lives. Accordingly, research on interruptions has also increased steadily over time, and research published in various scientific disciplines has produced different perspectives, fundamental ideas, and conceptualizations of interruptions. However, the current state of research hampers a comprehensive overview of the concept of interruption, predominantly due to the fragmented nature of the existing literature. Reflecting on its genesis in the 1920s and the longstanding research on interruptions, along with recent technological, behavioral, and organizational developments, this paper provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary overview of the various attributes of an interruption, which facilitates the establishment of interruption science as an interdisciplinary research field in the scientific landscape. To obtain an overview of the different interruption attributes, we conducted a systematic literature review with the goal of classifying interruptions. The outcome of our research process is a taxonomy of interruptions, constituting an important foundation for the field. Based on the taxonomy, we also present possible avenues for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian J. Stangl
- Digital Business Institute, School of Business and Management, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr, Austria
- *Correspondence: Fabian J. Stangl,
| | - René Riedl
- Digital Business Institute, School of Business and Management, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr, Austria
- Institute of Business Informatics – Information Engineering, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pan X, Zhao X, Shen H. The concept, influence, and mechanism of human work interruptions based on the grounded theory. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1044233. [PMID: 36874796 PMCID: PMC9978345 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1044233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
With the development of mobile communication technology and the transformation of work methods and modes, work interruptions have become ubiquitous challenges for employees in the workplace. Less attention has been paid to work interruptions in China, especially the research on human work interruptions, which is different from virtual work interruptions. The present study carried out an in-depth interview with 29 employees. Based on the grounded theory method, a psychological and behavioral mechanism model of employees facing human work interruptions, namely, the "human work interruptions-cognitive appraisals-affective responses-behavioral changes" model, was constructed. It is found that (1) cognitive appraisals are the causes of different affective responses and behavioral changes of human work interruptions; (2) cognitive appraisals are feedback behaviors that refer to the reappraisals of the effectiveness and appropriateness of individuals' affective responses and behavioral changes; and (3) personal traits and environmental characteristics at work influence the affective responses and behavioral changes of human work interruptions at the individual and organizational level. The model constructed in this study further extends the interruption theory and provides implications on how to process human work interruptions in human resource management practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Pan
- Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, Shanghai, China.,School of Business, Nantong Institute of Technology, Nantong, China
| | - Xiaokang Zhao
- Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huali Shen
- Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yu EJ, Lee EN. Development and Validation of a Nursing Work Interruption Scale. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13487. [PMID: 36294067 PMCID: PMC9602459 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Work interruption disturbs nurses' flow of thinking, diminishes work efficiency, induces burnout, and causes errors that can threaten patients' lives. Therefore, it is important to identify the causes and measure the extent of work interruption. This study developed a self-report scale and established its validity and reliability for use in hospital settings. Through literature review and in-depth interviews with nurses, we identified two components and developed 25 preliminary items. These items were reviewed by nursing experts for content validity and pilot tested among 20 hospital nurses; subsequently, a 16-item preliminary instrument was finalized. A total of 359 questionnaires were included in the final analysis, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. Two factors and 12 items were derived from two rounds of EFA, with a cumulative percentage of variance of 55.73%. Construct validity was established through CFA. The predictive validity and internal consistency reliability of the developed scale were also established. Thus, the 12-item Work Interruption Measurement Scale for Nurses comprising two domains (human and environmental factors) was developed. This scale can be useful in assessing work interruption experienced by nurses and for developing and assessing the effectiveness of interventions pertaining to nurses' work interruption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jeong Yu
- Nursing Department, Busan Institute of Science and Technology, Busan 6639, Korea
| | - Eun-Nam Lee
- College of Nursing, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li F, Liu S, Zhang F, Huang H. Moderating Effects of Self-Efficacy and Time Pressure on the Relationship Between Employee Aging and Work Performance. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2022; 15:1043-1054. [PMID: 35498545 PMCID: PMC9049131 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s359624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The relationships among employee aging, working memory capacity, and task performance in the context of information technology were studied, and these investigations in turn provide insight into improving employee task performance and mitigating the negative effects of employee aging. Participants and Methods Based on the limited resource theory and the inhibitory deficit theory, a total of 296 valid questionnaires were collected and the relationships among the variables were examined using cascaded linear regression via SPSS 22.0. Results Aging negatively affects working memory capacity and task performance. Working memory capacity partially mediates the relationship between age and task performance. Time pressure can exacerbate the negative effects of age on task performance, and self-efficacy mitigates the negative effects of age on task performance. Discussion Employee information system learning and training can be enhanced to ameliorate the negative impact of aging on task performance. IT-related work can be limited to a manageable level to reduce the negative effects of reduced working memory capacity. Employees’ internal motivation can be gradually cultivated, and employees can be guided toward the improvement of their IT self-efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuda Li
- Business School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Business School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fawang Zhang
- Business School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Fawang Zhang, Business School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13319538823, Email
| | - Huaqian Huang
- Guangdong Polytechnic of Industry and Commerce, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Defrag and reboot? Consolidating information and communication technology research in I-O psychology. INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY-PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/iop.2021.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeveral decades of research have addressed the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology. However, segmented research streams with myriad terminologies run the risk of construct proliferation and lack an integrated theoretical justification of the contributions of ICT concepts. Therefore, by identifying important trends and reflecting on key constructs, findings, and theories, our review seeks to determine whether a compelling case can be made for the uniqueness of ICT-related concepts in studying employee and performance in I-O psychology. Two major themes emerge from our review of the ICT literature: (a) a technology behavior perspective and (b) a technology experience perspective. The technology behavior perspective with three subcategories (the “where” of work design, the “when” of work extension, and the “what” of work inattention) explores how individual technology use can be informative for predicting employee well-being and performance. The technology experience perspective theme with two subcategories (the “how” of ICT appraisals and “why” of motives) emphasizes unique psychological (as opposed to behavioral) experiences arising from the technological work context. Based on this review, we outline key challenges of current ICT research perspectives and opportunities for further enhancing our understanding of technological implications for individual workers and organizations.
Collapse
|
7
|
Flattening the Latent Growth Curve? Explaining Within-Person Changes in Employee Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 5:247-275. [PMID: 34007876 PMCID: PMC8120500 DOI: 10.1007/s41542-021-00087-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the greatest global crises in modern history. In addition to recession and high unemployment, agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that stressors associated with a pandemic can cause increased strains, including difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and decreased mental health (CDC, 2020). Two general frameworks that explain these stressor-strain relationships over time include stress-reaction and adaptation models. Stress-reaction models suggest that stressors, such as heightened job demands due to the pandemic, accumulate over time and thus prolonged exposure to these stressors results in both immediate and long-term strain; conversely, adaptation models suggest that people adapt to stressors over time, such that strains produced by ongoing stressors tend to dissipate. After controlling for county-level COVID-19 cases, we found that (a) workers in general exhibited decreasing cognitive weariness and psychological symptoms over time, providing support for the adaptation model; (b) on-site workers experienced increasing physical fatigue over time, supporting the stress-reaction model among those workers; and (c) engaging in recovery behaviors was associated with improvements in cognitive weariness and psychological symptoms for all workers. We also found that our Time 1 outcomes were significantly different than pre-pandemic norms, such that our participants displayed lower initial levels of job-related burnout and higher initial levels of psychological symptoms than pre-pandemic norms. Furthermore, supplemental qualitative data support our quantitative findings for recovery behaviors. These findings have important implications for understanding workers' responses to the pandemic and they can help inform organizational practice.
Collapse
|
8
|
Horvath M, Gueulette JS, Gray KA. Employee Reactions to Interruptions from Family during Work. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 5:141-162. [PMID: 33816779 PMCID: PMC7997796 DOI: 10.1007/s41542-021-00081-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In contemporary workplaces, spouses, parents, and children are frequently able to reach employees through telephone, text, or email. Although some employees may welcome this level of accessibility to their families, others may react negatively, but we know little about the individual differences or situational characteristics that relate to these reactions. To examine these reactions, we recruited samples of US residents, employed outside the home in a variety of occupations, who reported that they were recently interrupted at work by a family member. We measured four reactions to the episode (anger, sadness, complaining about the interruption, and the degree to which the employee forgave the family member). Results showed reactions related to interactions between two features of the interruption (the importance of the interruption and the severity of the disruption to one’s work) and the employee’s preference for integrating family and work roles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Horvath
- Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115 USA
| | - Jacqueline S Gueulette
- Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115 USA.,Bologna Business School, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Kiara A Gray
- Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115 USA.,Department of Psychology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hu X, Park Y, Day A, Barber LK. Time to Disentangle the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Constructs: Developing a Taxonomy around ICT Use for Occupational Health Research. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 5:217-245. [PMID: 33748406 PMCID: PMC7962926 DOI: 10.1007/s41542-021-00085-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the workplace has gained considerable research attention in the occupational health field due to its effects on employee stress and well-being. Consequently, new ICT-related constructs have proliferated in occupational health research, resulting in a need to take stock of both potential redundancies and deficiencies in the current measures. This paper disentangles ICT-related constructs, developing a taxonomy of ICT-related constructs in terms of ICT demands, resources, motivation, use, and strains. We then integrate this taxonomy with stress and motivation theories to identify three key implications for ICT and workplace health research and practices in terms of providing suggestions on understudied areas for building better theories, highlighting important psychometric issues for building better constructs and measures, and offering recommendations for building better interventions. This review aims to serve as a guide for researchers to move forward with the current state of research and provide recommendations for organizations in terms of both potential repercussions and best practices for ICT use in the workplace.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Hu
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL USA
| | - YoungAh Park
- School of Labor and Employment Relations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL USA
| | - Arla Day
- Department of Psychology, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS Canada
| | - Larissa K Barber
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ruotsalainen S, Jantunen S, Sinervo T. Which factors are related to Finnish home care workers' job satisfaction, stress, psychological distress and perceived quality of care? - a mixed method study. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:896. [PMID: 32988396 PMCID: PMC7520953 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05733-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The desire to increase the role of home care in Finland has created problems in home care work. Working conditions have deteriorated, the quality of care experienced is low, and staff members suffer from time pressure and stress, amongst other things. The aim of this article is to explore the challenges, stressors, teamwork and management factors that are associated with home care staff members' well-being, job satisfaction and experienced care quality, and further, how staff members experience their work. METHODS A survey was sent to home care workers in two case organizations that participated in the study. In addition, semi-structured theme interviews with home care workers were conducted. The data from the survey was analysed using analysis of covariance, and interview data was analysed using the Grounded Theory-based method from Gioia et al. RESULTS: Respondents of the survey and the interview participants were mainly female practical nurses. The results from the survey showed, for example, that time pressure was associated with higher stress and psychological distress, and interruptions were associated with lower job satisfaction and higher stress. In addition, variables related to teamwork, such as participative safety, were shown to explain the variation in quality of care. The analysis of the interview data further brought up dissatisfaction with management practices, which seems to have led to a decrease in job satisfaction. Exhaustion and strain were present among staff members, which originated from an insufficient number of carers. CONCLUSIONS Current working conditions and work practices in Finnish home care are experienced stressful. The results from this study indicate that having more autonomy at work was associated with job satisfaction, according to both analyses. Team climate and idea implementation were related to quality of care. Therefore, increasing self-organizing team practices might be a possible development method for improving working conditions and staff members' well-being. Implementing self-organizing team practices could possibly also attract employees to work in home care and prevent turnover.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salla Ruotsalainen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sami Jantunen
- South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 68, 50101, Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Timo Sinervo
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tams S, Ahuja M, Thatcher J, Grover V. Worker stress in the age of mobile technology: The combined effects of perceived interruption overload and worker control. JOURNAL OF STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsis.2020.101595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
12
|
Rogers AP, Barber LK. Workplace intrusions and employee strain: the interactive effects of extraversion and emotional stability. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2019; 32:312-328. [PMID: 30905190 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2019.1596671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Intrusions are a type of workplace interruption defined as unexpected interpersonal contact that disrupts workflow. Drawing from the Job Demands-Resources model of work stress, we examined how two personal resources - extraversion and emotional stability - influence relations among intrusions and strain outcomes. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY Self-reported, online questionnaire data were collected from two samples; 323 faculty and staff from a university (sample 1) and 574 full-time employees recruited from an online crowdsourcing forum (sample 2). RESULTS In sample 1 extraversion was positively related to intrusions, whereas in sample 2, extraversion and emotional stability were negatively related to intrusions. There were no interactive effects of personality on relations among intrusions and strain outcomes in sample 1. In sample 2, low emotional stability strengthened relations among intrusions and work tension. Additionally, intrusions were negatively associated with stress for individuals high on emotional stability. Finally, introverts experienced less stress in response to intrusions. CONCLUSION Taking a person-situation interactionist approach, we examined personal resources that may mitigate interruption-related strain. Our findings suggest that for employees high in emotional stability, interruptions may be both less detrimental and, in some cases, beneficial. This study has practical implications for the structuring of work environments to mitigate strain and maximize person-environment fit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arielle P Rogers
- a Department of Psychology , Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA
| | - Larissa K Barber
- b Department of Psychology , San Diego State University , San Diego , CA , USA
| |
Collapse
|