Our paper details the development of a new multi-dimensional scale to measure polychronicity, 'the preference for multiple media use' (the P-MMU). Previous measures of polychronicity are predominantly developed for an organisational context, or do not reflect the complexity required for the measurement of the behavioural phenomenon of multiple media use, within the context of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). Scale development procedures follow a review of literature and prior qualitative study, uncovering motives for individuals' preference for multiple media use. The nine dimensional P-MMU scale demonstrates stability across two datasets, using a total sample of 317 Digital Natives. In the evolving research area of multiple media use, the P-MMU scale provides an appropriate measure for the study of this phenomenon.
Contribution:The P-MMU scale is intended for use among academics; researching in the specific areas of marketing communications, advertising and multiple media use and also practitioners; attempting to improve the efficacy of communication campaigns on behalf of their clients. Our analysis provides evidence to demonstrate that this multi-dimensional measure of polychronicity is reliable and valid.Consistently, the paper contributes the new P-MMU scale and a notable contribution towards an increased understanding of polychronicity, the 'preference for multiple media use'.