No abstract

Purpose The multitasking phenomenon has been prevailing in the technology-driven information environment. People are engaged in multitasking to process information and deal with personal and professional information tasks. This study aims to explore the external predictors of multitasking information behavior (MIB) of library and information science (LIS) professionals from Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach This is a quantitative study based on a questionnaire survey, and data was collected through Google Form; the link was shared via e-mail and WhatsApp to get maximum responses. The sampling includes the LIS professionals working in Higher Education Commission-recognized universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A total of 126 responses were received from 41 universities of KPK. Findings Pearson correlation and regression were applied by using SPSS for data analysis. The findings revealed that time pressure (TP) is a good predictor of multitasking because when professionals got tasks with deadlines, they try to perform multiple activities at a time. Therefore, TP is a predictor of human MIB. This study also revealed that the work environment is a less significant predictor of MIB, and the use of multiple information resources is a weak predictor of MIB. It is noted that individual covariates were not predictors of the multitasking information. However, TP was the most significant predictor among all the contextual and individual factors predicting MIB. Research limitations/implications This research line is significant because MIB is a new dimension of human information behavior among LIS professionals. The findings are beneficial for LIS professionals to increase their work productivity and performance by rationalizing the significant predictors. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no such study is available that highlighted the MIB among LIS professionals. Therefore, this study will highlight external factors’ effects on LIS professionals’ MIB. This study will contribute to the literature on libraries and information management as this study describes the LIS professionals’ behavior.

The multitasking behavior is burgeoning in today’s work environment which reflects capabilities of individual to manage multiple things simultaneously to attain the efficient work performance. Study examines effect of multitasking on human behavior in workplace and its impact upon work performance. A search strategy was formulated to conduct this literature review-based study, and different databases containing scholarly research material were explored to find related literature. Inclusion-exclusion criteria were defined & included studies fulfilled selection criteria. PRISMA-P (2015) guidelines were followed to complete study. After reviewing literature pertaining to subject, finding established the fact, internal and external interruption triggers the individuals’ working behavior towards multitasking at the workplace. Multitask working behavior exerts an impact on overall work performance particularly, on work quality, productivity, and working memory. In this linking, no prior literature-based evidence is available in this domain in particular context. The scope of study is confined to published literature on human multitasking and human performance, literature on system multitasking and media multitasking is not included.