Development of a New Measure of Polychronicity

Abstract

r e s e a r c h a t w o r k N P R S T Navy Personnel Research, Studies, and Technology 5720 Integrity Drive • Millington, Tennessee 38055-1000 • www.nprst.navy.milA -Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. This paper describes the development of a new measure of polychronicity, an individual differences construct indicating a preference for performing multiple tasks at once as opposed to performing only one task at a time. Although empirical research to date has found mixed results with respect to polychronicity's association with multitasking and other related variables, polychronicity remains conceptually promising as a predictor of multitasking-related variables. Following a brief review of past definitional issues, a revised definition is offered, and a new measure of polychronicity-the POLY-is created based on this revised definition. Three studies describe the creation, pilot testing, and psychometric refinement of an initial pool of polychronicity items (Study 1); an initial convergent and discriminant validity analysis (Study 2); and some initial findings with respect to the criterion-related validity of scores on the POLY (Study 3). Together, these findings provide preliminary evidence for the reliability of scores on the POLY and the validity of the POLY in predicting variables relevant to multitasking. SummaryThis paper describes the development of a new measure of polychronicity, an individual differences construct indicating a preference for performing multiple tasks at once as opposed to performing only one task at a time (e.g., Slocombe & Bluedorn, 1999). Although empirical research to date has found mixed results with respect to polychronicity's association with multitasking and other related variables, polychronicity remains conceptually promising as a predictor of multitasking-related variables. Following a brief review of past definitional issues, a revised definition is offered, and a new measure of polychronicity-the POLY-is created based on this revised definition. Three studies describe the creation, pilot testing, and psychometric refinement of an initial pool of polychronicity items (Study 1); an initial convergent and discriminant validity analysis (Study 2); and some initial findings with respect to the criterion-related validity of scores on the POLY (Study 3). Together, these findings provide preliminary evidence for the reliability of scores on the POLY and the validity of the POLY in predicting variables relevant to multitasking.vii

Individual Differences in Multitasking Ability and Adaptability

“…Furthermore, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to multitasking because performance varies across individuals (e.g., Watson & Strayer, 2010). Some people even report a preference for multitasking (e.g., Branscome, Swoboda, & Fatkin, 2007; Poposki, Oswald, & Brou, 2009; Slocombe & Bluedorn, 1999), although the association between preference and performance is unclear. There have been some attempts to identify the individual differences associated with multitasking performance.…”

Time Orientation in Organizations: Polychronicity and Multitasking

“…In addition, extraverts may not be as stressed by the pressures to meet deadlines as others. In the existing literature, extraversion is consistently reported as a correlate of polychronicity (e.g., Conte & Gintoft, 2005;Conte & Jacobs, 2003;Kantrowitz et al, 2012;König et al, 2005;Poposki et al, 2009a). Thus, I expected individuals high in levels of extraversion to exhibit a preference for engaging in multiple tasks.…”

“…Generally, the existing literature reports weak negative correlations between neuroticism and polychronicity, although some not reaching the level of significance (Conte & Gintoft, 2005;Conte & Jacobs, 2003;Oswald et al, 2007;Poposki et al, 2009a) but one study reports positive correlations using multiple measures of polychronicity (Stachowski, 2011). If individuals high in neuroticism are not successful multitaskers, it is expected that they will prefer to work on only one task at a time.…”

“…Inventory (MPI), formerly referred to as POLY (Oberlander, 2008;Poposki, Oswald & Brou, 2009a), is a 14-item measure developed based on Poposki and Oswald's (2010) definition of polychronicity ("a noncognitive variable reflecting an individual's preference for shifting attention among ongoing tasks, rather than focusing on one task until completion and then switching to another task", p. 250). This scale attempted to resolve some psychometric deficiencies of the PAI and IPV including the item format (i.e., references to "we" as opposed to "I"), and lack of precision in measurement of extreme levels of polychronicity (i.e., all items are geared towards a moderate level of polychronicity, Oberlander, 2008).…”

“…Whereas multitasking refers to an ability to handle multiple tasks and switch between them as needed for successful performance, polychronicity refers to a preference for such working environments (Poposki & Oswald, 2010). Although related, multitasking and polychronicity are distinct constructs (Branscome & Grynovicki, 2007;Ishizaka et al, 2001; Kantrowitz & Kinney, 2009;König, Buhner & Murling, 2005;Oberlander, 2008;Poposki et al, 2009a;Poposki & Oswald, 2010).…”