Repeated IT Interruption: Habituation and Sensitization of User Responses

Weinert C, Maier C, Laumer S, Weitzel T (2022)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Journal of Management Information Systems ME Sharpe

Pages Range: 187-217

Journal Issue: Volume 39, 2022

URI: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epub/10.1080/07421222.2021.2023411?needAccess=true

DOI: 10.1080/07421222.2021.2023411

Open Access Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epub/10.1080/07421222.2021.2023411?needAccess=true

Abstract

Information technology (IT) interruptions are IT-based events that capture users’ attention and interfere with other activities. This study focuses on repeated IT interruption and task performance. We draw on dual-process theory and suggest that users may get used to repeated IT interruption, known as habituation, or may become hypersensitive, known as sensitization. We validate the research model based on data from a laboratory experiment with 100 subjects by using a multivariate latent growth model (LGM). With subjective and objective measurement techniques, we show how users respond to repeated IT interruption with physiological arousal, psychological exhaustion, and behavioral task performance. Our results indicate that user responses follow different patterns over time, revealing time-dependent effects of arousal and exhaustion on task performance. We contribute to literature by providing evidence that repeated IT interruption results in unique habituation and sensitization user response patterns compared to a single IT interruption.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sven Laumer Schöller Endowed Chair for Information Systems (Digitalization in Business and Society)

Involved external institutions

Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Weinert, C., Maier, C., Laumer, S., & Weitzel, T. (2022). Repeated IT Interruption: Habituation and Sensitization of User Responses. Journal of Management Information Systems, Volume 39, 2022, 187-217. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2021.2023411

MLA:

Weinert, Christoph, et al. "Repeated IT Interruption: Habituation and Sensitization of User Responses." Journal of Management Information Systems Volume 39, 2022 (2022): 187-217.

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