A Qualitative Study of “online” Work Breaks

Authors

Sungdoo Kim, Northeastern Illinois University
Stacie Furst-Holloway, University of Cincinnati
Elaine Hollensbe, Carl H. Lindner College of Business
Suzanne Masterson, Carl H. Lindner College of Business
Therese Sprinkle, Quinnipiac University
Daniele Bologna, Procter and Gamble

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2-2019

Abstract

Despite the growing empirical evidence on the beneficial effects of “micro” work breaks, scant research has examined “online” work breaks. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore the nature and effects of online work breaks. Through an in-depth qualitative study of a diverse set of 33 full-time working professionals, we identified conditions under which online breaks occur as well as the characteristics and outcomes of these breaks. Interestingly, our findings point to both negative and positive outcomes associated with online breaks, largely dependent on an individual’s ability to self-regulate. Our grounded theory approach allows us to develop a richer description of online work breaks and a theoretical model to help guide future research.

DOI

10.1080/15416518.2019.1663142

Publication Title

Organization Management Journal

Volume Number

16

Issue Number

4

First Page

235

Last Page

250

Recommended Citation

Kim, Sungdoo; Furst-Holloway, Stacie; Hollensbe, Elaine; Masterson, Suzanne; Sprinkle, Therese; and Bologna, Daniele, "A Qualitative Study of “online” Work Breaks" (2019). Management and Marketing Faculty Publications. 27.
https://neiudc.neiu.edu/mm-pub/27