Developing a Model of Perceptions of Technological Multitasking

Multitasking is held to be essential to corporate survival (Manhart, 2005), but little attention has been paid to the social meaning of technological multitasking. We focus on technological multitasking as rapid task switching involving information technologies and, in particular, where one or more activities involve interpersonal interaction. Understanding how technological multitasking behavior is perceived by others has significant implications for individuals, managers, organizations, and educational institutions alike. To this end, a conceptual model has been developed and tested using a scenario-based approach to gain insights into the attributions of those engaged in this behavior.