Multicommunicating: Juggling Multiple Conversations in the Workplace.

Author List: Cameron, Ann-Frances; Webster, Jane;
Information Systems Research, 2013, Volume 24, Issue 2, Page 352-371.
As a result of newer communication technologies and an increase in virtual communication, employees often find themselves multicommunicating, or participating in multiple conversations at the same time. This research seeks to explore multicommunicating from the perspective of the person juggling multiple conversations at the same time—the focal individual. To better understand this phenomenon, we extend previous theorizing by including the concepts of the episode initiator (whether the second conversation was focal or partner initiated), the fit of the set of media used in the episode, one process gain (conversation leveraging), and process losses. Employing a series of pilot studies and a main study, the resulting model was analyzed using structural equation modeling, finding overall support for the model. Findings suggest that experienced intensity is an important factor influencing process losses experienced during multicommunicating, whereas episode initiator influences process losses and the process gain. Further, media fit moderates the relationship between intensity and process losses. The importance of multicommunicating in the workplace is discussed, the theoretical and practical contributions of this research are described, and limitations and suggestions for future research are outlined.
Keywords: dual-task performance; fit; intensity; multicommunicating; multitasking; PLS; polychronic communication; process losses; productivity
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#162 0.193 structural modeling scale equation implications economies large future framework perspective propose broad scope resulting identified leading analyzed second interviews analysis
#108 0.147 model research data results study using theoretical influence findings theory support implications test collected tested based empirical empirically context paper
#203 0.113 communication media computer-mediated e-mail richness electronic cmc mail medium message performance convergence used communications messages face-to-face findings participants results work
#69 0.111 process business reengineering processes bpr redesign paper research suggests provide past improvements manage enable organizations regarding focal cycle creating issues
#100 0.101 affective concepts role questions game gaming production games logic play shaping frames future network natural processes evidence addresses reference theorizing
#161 0.096 role relationship positively light important understanding related moderating frequency intensity play stronger shed contribution past considered maintenance effort effect specifically