The Impact of Cross Personal IT Device Use on Task Performance and Mental Workload

摘要

With the power of cloud computing, present-day information work is characterized by the proliferation of personal IT devices (PITDs), ranging from laptop and desktop computers to smartphones and tablets. Tasks once traditionally be smoothly executed through using the same PITD to complete a task, now could be interrupted when the user switches PITDs, owing to the inherent differences among PITDs. Drawing on script theory and conflict-distraction theory, this study attempts to understand how cross-PITD use impacts performance and mental workload of individuals undertaking a simple or complex task. We propose six hypotheses and expect that for simple tasks, interruptions are beneficial to users concentrating on dealing with the central cue of the main task and ruling out trivial and peripheral cues that influence the main task, resulting in better performance despite increasing mental workload. However, as task complexity increases, task performance and mental workload are negatively influenced in cross-PITD use.