Was this part of the plan? Examining self-control, planning, and interruptions

Abstract

Interruptions are a common and consequential issue for many individuals in organizational settings. Limited preliminary work suggests that certain individuals may be more susceptible to workplace interruptions but little is known about the nature and implications of these linkages with individual differences. This study examines dispositional self-control as a predictor of workplace intrusions, focusing on (a) both intrusion frequency and severity, (b) planning as a potential mechanism, and (c) implications for task performance and work-related stress. Participants (N = 164) first completed a measure of dispositional self-control and then completed daily surveys for one workweek measuring planning, frequency and severity of intrusions, task performance, and work-related stress. Results indicated that self-control predicted both intrusion frequency and severity. In addition, both intrusion frequency and severity were found to be related to performance and stress. However, no indirect effects involving planning were found. These findings support the notion that individual differences in self-control predict the experience of workplace intrusions; indicate that more-conscious/effortful mechanisms (e.g., planning) may not play a prevalent role in this relationship, indirectly suggesting that less-conscious/effortful mechanisms (e.g., habits) could be more relevant; and demonstrate that intrusion severity may be just as detrimental as intrusion frequency.