Harder, better, faster, but more fatigued: The impact of multitasking on videoconferences, performance and fatigue

Abstract

This research examines the impact of multitasking (MT) during videoconferences (VC) on videoconference fatigue (VF) and task performance. Drawing on dual-task interference and cognitive load theories, we investigated whether simultaneously engaging in secondary tasks (e.g., correcting texts) during online meetings contributes to VF, reduces objective task performance, and alters subjective performance. In two complementary studies – one 2 × 2 experimental (N = 94) and one longitudinal (N = 106) – we assessed VF across its general, emotional, motivational, social, and visual dimensions, as well as objective and subjective performance outcomes. In the experimental study, participants assigned to multitask during a VC exhibited significantly greater increases in general, motivational, emotional, social, and visual fatigue from pre-to post-measures, and significantly poorer objective performance on a note-taking and a text-correction task. Contrary to expectations, participants who multitasked did not rate their subjective performance more favorably; they rated their subjective performance slightly lower when multitasking. Moreover, multitasking during the VC strongly decreased the actual objective performance and raises the question, if people see the downside of multitasking, but underestimate its effect?

The longitudinal study reinforced the findings of MT on VF by demonstrating that higher levels of multitasking intensity in recurring online seminars were associated with increases in general, motivational, emotional, and social fatigue. The relationship with visual fatigue was not significant. Taken together, these results suggest that multitasking in videoconferences is a behavioral stressor that intensifies cognitive demands, resulting in more pronounced VF across multiple dimensions and diminished task accuracy. Organizations and leadership should focus on increasing VC effectiveness and reducing employees’ needs for multitasking.