Generational differences in handling technology interruptions: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Digital native and digital immigrant user types characterise the differences between those who grew up in a world of ubiquitous information systems and those who pre-date it. The rise in computer-mediated communication (CMC) technologies such as emails, text messages, and social media creates more opportunities for interruptions. Researchers have explored the impact of growing up in a world of technology. However, little research has explored the potential differences between digital natives and digital immigrants handling technology interruptions. This paper uses a qualitative approach to examine the extent to which individuals handle CMC interruptions differently based on the role of technology and its level of pervasiveness in the environment in which they grew up. Thirty-three interviews were conducted with individuals from different population groups based on age and gender to understand how technology interruptions are handled in work and social life. The findings support existing pre- and post-technology interruption frameworks and explain how and why generational differences exist in the process of CMC interruption handling. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Computer-mediated communication
• interruptions
• multi-tasking
• technostress
• digital natives
• digital immigrants
• qualitative analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Tarafdar et al. (2007) describes these terms as follows: “Techno-overload” – where the use of IS forces professionals to work more and work faster; “Techno-uncertainty” – contexts where continuing changes and upgrades to IS do not give professionals a chance to develop a base of experience for a particular application or system; “Techno-invasion” – situations where professionals can potentially be reached anywhere and anytime and feel the need to be constantly connected; “Techno-complexity” – the complexity associated with IS forces professionals to spend time and effort in learning and understanding how to use new applications.