Media, Communication, and Work

A first line of research examines the causes and boundary conditions for digital stress, in particular due to the norm of constant availability and through the concept of online vigilance (e.g. sustained mental preoccupation with work-related digital communication). Digital stress and technostress are well-documented phenomena in the world of work. In addition to phenomena such as multitasking and “communication overload” or “information overload”, the cognitive internalization (so-called salience) of accessibility norms plays an important but as yet little understood role.

Building on this, a second line of research investigates increasingly prevalent phenomena of digital disconnection, i.e. the temporary disconnection from digital media and communication technologies (also known as “digital detox”), e.g. to be able to concentrate better on work or to be more present in the moment. We are investigating the motives, (non-)usage patterns and effectiveness of disconnection in learning and working environments. In terms of labor law, this phenomenon is also highly relevant in view of a “right to disconnect” that is increasingly being established in European countries.

A third long-standing strand of research examines procrastination through media use, i.e. how and why digital media are used to postpone work, particularly at the interface between work and leisure. Digital media are often seen as instruments and causes of procrastination of important tasks. The design and usage habits of digital media appear to play a central role in this. Our research investigates media-induced procrastination in the context of learning behavior among students and young people and with regard to private media use during work, e.g., when working from home. In addition to experience sampling and diary methods, we also use digital behavioral data (e.g. smartphone log data) in this line or research.

A fourth strand of research, which is currently being developed, examines the role of digital communication for social well-being in hybrid work. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that working from home – in addition to many advantages – can also be characterized by some disadvantages such as increased social isolation and loneliness. Social connection is an important function of work. We therefore investigate how interpersonal communication face-to-face and via digital channels is related to job satisfaction, social connection in organizations and employee performance, especially in hybrid work settings. Our focus is on collaboration tools and social media used at work as well as private social media use in the work-home interface.