Multitasking: Do preference and ability interact to predict performance at work?. Issue 4 (19th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanderson, Kristin R.; Bruk‐Lee, Valentina; Viswesvaran, Chockalingam; Gutierrez, Sara; Kantrowitz, Tracy
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and organizational psychology. Volume 86:Issue 4(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 556
• Page End: 563
• Publication Date: 2013-06-19
• Subjects: Psychology, Industrial -- Periodicals; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Personnel management -- Periodicals; 158.705
• DOI: 10.1111/joop.12025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-1798

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="joop12025-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="joop12025-sec-0101" sec-type="section"> <p>This study examined the moderating role of polychronicity, the preference for multitasking, on the relationship between multitasking ability and performance. The results support the importance of fit in understanding the interaction between preference for and ability to multitask. The relationship between multitasking ability and an overall performance composite was stronger for individuals higher in polychronicity. For employees low in polychronicity, having the ability to multitask did not translate into meaningful performance differences.</p> </sec> <sec id="joop12025-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Practitioner points</title> <p> <list id="joop12025-list-0001" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Overall job performance is optimal for employees with both the ability to multitask and the preference for doing so.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The relationship between multitasking ability and overall job performance is negligible for monochronic employees.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> </abstract>