Exploring mind wandering in a technological setting

Yulia W. Sullivan, Fred D. Davis, Chang E. Koh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study investigates the moderating role of mind wandering in influencing the relationships between on-Task thought and two functional outcomes of interacting with technology (i.e., creativity and knowledge retention). The study extends the content regulation hypothesis of mind wandering by differentiating mind wandering into two categories-Technology-related and nontechnology-related. The scales to measure mind wandering and on-Task thought were first developed and validated. After that, the structural model was tested. The findings suggest that mind wandering (technologyrelated) positively moderates the relationship between on-Task thought (technologyrelated) and creativity and mind wandering (nontechnology-related) positively moderates the relationship between on-Task thought (nontechnology-related) and knowledge retention. The results also show that creativity is positively associated with knowledge retention. By acknowledging the potential benefits associated with mind wandering, this study is able to show that mind wandering is not always destructive; it can offer some unique benefits for technology users.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2015 International Conference on Information Systems
Subtitle of host publicationExploring the Information Frontier, ICIS 2015
PublisherAssociation for Information Systems
ISBN (Print)9780996683111
StatePublished - 2015
Event2015 International Conference on Information Systems: Exploring the Information Frontier, ICIS 2015 - Fort Worth, United States
Duration: Dec 13 2015Dec 16 2015

Publication series

Name2015 International Conference on Information Systems: Exploring the Information Frontier, ICIS 2015

Conference

Conference2015 International Conference on Information Systems: Exploring the Information Frontier, ICIS 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityFort Worth
Period12/13/1512/16/15

Keywords

  • Creativity
  • Information systems
  • Knowledge retention
  • Mind wandering
  • On-Task thought

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