Theorizing the Unintended Consequences of Instant Messaging for Worker.pdfVIP

ISSN 1535-6078 Theorizing the Unintended Consequences of Instant Messaging for Worker Productivity Julie Rennecker1 Lindsey Godwin Case Western Reserve University Abstract Instant messaging (IM) is one of the newest and fastest-growing communication technologies in the workplace today, yet little is known about its real implications for worker productivity. We have taken the particular affordances of instant messaging as the basis for extrapolating from and linking prior studies of email use, polychronic communication, and task interruptions to develop propositions regarding the unanticipated individual-level productivity implications of widespread IM use in the workplace. We argue that while instant message communication may accelerate particular tasks and decision processes, unstructured IM use will likely contribute to erosion in individuals’ overall productivity due to an increase in users’ communicative workloads, engagement in polychronic communication, and an increase in the frequency of interruptions. We intend our proposed model and propositions as an impetus for further study of both the benefits and challenges of workplace instant messaging. Keywords: Electronic communication, instant messaging, unanticipated consequences, unintended consequences, interruptions, polychronic communication, task performance. Citation: Renneker, J. and Godwin, L., (2003), “Theorizing the Unintended Consequences of Instant Messaging (IM) for Worker Productivity,” Sprouts: Working Papers on Information Environments. Systems and Organizations, Vol 3, Summer. /sprouts/2003/030307.pdf Copyright ? 2003 Julie Renneker and Lindsey Godwin. All rights reserved. Permission to copy without fee all or part of this material is granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage and that copies bear this copyright notice and a full citation. Abstracting with credit is permitted. Written perm