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Multicommunicating: Juggling Multiple Conversations in the Workplace

Author

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  • Ann-Frances Cameron

    (HEC Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 2A7, Canada)

  • Jane Webster

    (Queen's School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ann-Frances Cameron & Jane Webster, 2013. "Multicommunicating: Juggling Multiple Conversations in the Workplace," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 24(2), pages 352-371, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:24:y:2013:i:2:p:352-371
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.1120.0446
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    4. Jeffrey L. Jenkins & Bonnie Brinton Anderson & Anthony Vance & C. Brock Kirwan & David Eargle, 2016. "More Harm Than Good? How Messages That Interrupt Can Make Us Vulnerable," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 27(4), pages 880-896, December.

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