{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,10]],"date-time":"2026-06-10T14:53:25Z","timestamp":1781103205027,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":71,"publisher":"IGI Global Scientific Publishing","issue":"3","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2010,7,1]]},"abstract":"<p>Despite the advantages of using instant messaging (IM) for collaborative work, concerns about negative consequences associated with its disruptive nature have been raised. In this paper, the author investigates the mediating role of self-regulation, using a mixed methods approach consisting of questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews. The findings show that these concerns are warranted: IM is disruptive, and multitasking can lead to losses in productivity. Despite these negative consequences, users are active participants in IM and employ a wide range of self-regulation strategies (SRS) to control their overuse. The study found three key SRS: ignoring incoming messages, denying access, and digital or physical removal. The study also found two different approaches to self-regulation. The preventive approach, consisting of creating routines and practices around IM use that would help regulation, and the recuperative approach, consisting of changing behaviors after overuse had occurred. Communication via IM helps in the development of social capital by strengthening social ties among users, which can be useful for information exchange and cooperation. These positive effects provide a balance to the potential negative impact on productivity. Implications for theories of self-regulation of technology and for managerial practice are also discussed.<\/p>","DOI":"10.4018\/jec.2010070102","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2010,6,30]],"date-time":"2010-06-30T21:10:47Z","timestamp":1277932247000},"page":"22-42","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["Self-Regulation in Instant Messaging (IM)"],"prefix":"10.4018","volume":"6","author":[{"given":"Anabel","family":"Quan-Haase","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Western Ontario, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2432","reference":[{"key":"jec.2010070102-0","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0261927X04269585"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"177","DOI":"10.7551\/mitpress\/9780262113120.003.0014","article-title":"Adjusting the volume: Technology and multitasking in discourse control","author":"N. S.Baron","year":"2008","journal-title":"Handbook of mobile communication studies"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"293","DOI":"10.1007\/1-84628-248-9_20","article-title":"Tethered or mobile? Use of away messages in instant messaging by American college students","author":"N. S.Baron","year":"2005","journal-title":"Mobile communications: Re-negotiation of the social sphere"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-3","first-page":"201","article-title":"Teenage communication in the instant messaging era","author":"B. S.Boneva","year":"2006","journal-title":"Computers, phones, and the Internet: Domesticating information technology"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bradner, E., Kellogg, W. A., & Erickson, T. (1999, September). Social affordances of Babble: A field study of chat in the workplace. Paper presented at the Sixth European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, Copenhagen, Denmark.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-94-011-4441-4_8"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"879","DOI":"10.2466\/pr0.1997.80.3.879","article-title":"Psychology of computer use: Parameters of internet use, abuse and addiction: The first 90 days of the internet usage survey.","volume":"80","author":"V.Brenner","year":"1997","journal-title":"Psychological Reports"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0747-5632(02)00004-3"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-7","unstructured":"comScore. (2006). Europe surpasses North America in instant messenger users. Retrieved June 10, 2008, from http:\/\/www.comscore.com\/press\/release.asp?press=800"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-8","unstructured":"Cook, L., & Cook, J. (2003, November). Personality, productivity and instant messaging. Paper presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute, Washington, DC."},{"key":"jec.2010070102-9","author":"J. W.Creswell","year":"2007","journal-title":"Designing and conducting mixed methods research"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-10","first-page":"263","article-title":"Notification, disruption, and memory: Effects of messaging interruptions on memory and performance","author":"E.Cutrell","year":"2001","journal-title":"Human-Computer Interaction: INTERACT \u201901"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-11","unstructured":"Czerwinski, M., Cutrell, E., & Horvitz, E. (2000). Instant messaging and interruption: Influence of task type on performance. In C. Paris, N. Ozcan, S. Howard, & S. Lu (Eds.), Proceedings of OZCHI 2000 (pp. 356\u2013361). Sydney, Australia: Academic Press."},{"key":"jec.2010070102-12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dabbish, L., & Kraut, R. (2004). Awareness displays and interruptions in teams. Retrieved July 7, 2009, from http:\/\/ssrn.com\/abstract=656602","DOI":"10.2139\/ssrn.656602"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-13","first-page":"72","article-title":"Socially translucent systems: Social proxies, persistent conversation, and the design of \u201cBabble.\u201d","author":"T.Erickson","year":"1999","journal-title":"Human factors in computing systems: The proceedings of CHI \u201999"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1287\/orsc.1.1.41"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-15","unstructured":"Fox, S., & Madden, M. (2005). Generations online. Retrieved July 7, 2009, from http:\/\/www.pewinternet.org\/~\/media\/\/Files\/Reports\/2006\/PIP_Generations_Memo.pdf.pdf"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gonzalez, V., & Mark, G. (2004). \u201cConstant, constant, multi-tasking craziness\u201d: Managing multiple working spheres. In E. Dykstra-Erickson & M. Tscheligi (Eds.), Proceedings of ACM CHI 2004 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 113\u2013120). New York: ACM Press.","DOI":"10.1145\/985692.985707"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1086\/225469"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-18","first-page":"177","article-title":"Context and intent in call processing","author":"T.Gray","year":"2003","journal-title":"Feature interactions in telecommunications and software systems VII"},{"issue":"5","key":"jec.2010070102-19","first-page":"246","article-title":"Internet addiction: Fact or fiction?","volume":"12","author":"M.Griffiths","year":"1999","journal-title":"The Psychologist"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Grinter, R. E., & Palen, L. (2002, November). Instant messaging in teen life. Paper presented at the ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, New Orleans, LA.","DOI":"10.1145\/587078.587082"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-21","author":"C.Heckscher","year":"1994","journal-title":"The post-bureaucratic organization: New perspectives on organizational change"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1016\/S0923-8433(96)80008-6","article-title":"Requirements for human centred design of groupware","author":"T.Herrmann","year":"1996","journal-title":"The design of computer supported cooperative work and groupware systems"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hu, Y., Wood, J. F., Smith, V., & Westbrook, N. (2004). Friendships through IM: Examining the relationship between instant messaging and intimacy. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(1). Retrieved July 7, 2009, from http:\/\/jcmc.indiana.edu\/vol10\/issue1\/hu.html","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1083-6101.2004.tb00231.x"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hudson, J. M., Christensen, J., Kellogg, W. A., & Erickson, T. (2002). \u201cI\u2019d be overwhelmed, but it\u2019s just one more thing to do\u201d: Availability and interruption in research management. In L. Terveen (Ed.), Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 97\u2013104). New York: ACM Press.","DOI":"10.1145\/503376.503394"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Isaacs, E., Walendowski, A., Whittaker, S., Schiano, D. J., & Kamm, C. (2002, November). The character, functions, and styles of instant messaging in the workplace. Paper presented at the ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, New Orleans, LA.","DOI":"10.1145\/587078.587081"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0268-4012(02)00068-3"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jacovi, M., Soroka, V., & Ur, S. (2003, November). Why do we reach out? Functions of a semi-persistent peer-support tool. Paper presented at the ACM International Conference on Supporting Group Work, Sanibel Island, FL.","DOI":"10.1145\/958160.958186"},{"issue":"4","key":"jec.2010070102-28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1080\/07421222.1994.11518019","article-title":"The global network organization of the future: Information management opportunities and challenges.","volume":"10","author":"S. L.Jarvenpaa","year":"1994","journal-title":"Journal of Management Information Systems"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-29","unstructured":"Jones, S., & Madden, M. (2002, September 15). The internet goes to college: How students are living in the future with today\u2019s technology. Retrieved July 7, 2009, from http:\/\/www.pewinternet.org\/~\/media\/Files\/Reports\/2002\/PIP_College_Report.pdf.pdf"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/cpb.1998.1.11"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev.ps.44.020193.000323"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-32","author":"R. A.Krueger","year":"2000","journal-title":"Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1460-2466.2001.tb02885.x"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/s15506878jobem4604_4"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/S1532785XMEP0503_01"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/s15506878jobem4803_4"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/14614440122226209"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-38","article-title":"Hyper-coordination via mobile phone in Norway","author":"R.Ling","year":"2006","journal-title":"Perpetual contact: Mobile communication, private talk, public performance"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1145\/508448.508453"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mark, G., Gudith, D., & Klocke, U. (2008). The cost of interrupted work: More speed and stress. In Proceedings of ACM CHI 2008 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 107\u2013110). New York: ACM Press.","DOI":"10.1145\/1357054.1357072"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/014492999118968"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S1096-7516(03)00020-4"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-43","first-page":"3","article-title":"Technology: The productivity paradox.","volume":"75","author":"J. C.McCune","year":"1998","journal-title":"HRFocus"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-44","unstructured":"McFarlane, D. C. (1999). Coordinating the interruption of people. Paper presented at the 7th IFIP International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Edinburgh, Scotland."},{"key":"jec.2010070102-45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1201\/b15703-13","article-title":"Psychological issues in support of multiple activities","author":"Y.Miyata","year":"1986","journal-title":"User centered systems design: New perspectives on human computer interaction"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0747-5632(99)00049-7"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/0033-2909.126.2.247"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nardi, B. A., Whittaker, S., & Bradner, E. (2000). Interaction and outeraction: Instant messaging in action. In Proceedings of the 2000 Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (pp. 79\u201388). New York: ACM Press.","DOI":"10.1145\/358916.358975"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-49","first-page":"108","article-title":"The virtual organization: Bureaucracy, technology, and the implosion of control","author":"N.Nohria","year":"1994","journal-title":"The post-bureaucratic organization: New perspectives on organizational change"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.7591\/9781501737473","author":"L. A.Perlow","year":"1997","journal-title":"Finding time: How corporations, individuals, and families can benefit from new work practices"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2307\/2667031"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13691180701658020"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/01972240701883955"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-54","first-page":"31","article-title":"Text-based conversations over instant messaging: A sociolinguistic perspective","author":"A.Quan-Haase","year":"2009","journal-title":"New media and linguistic change"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13691180801999043"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Quan-Haase, A., Cothrel, J., & Wellman, B. (2005). Instant messaging for collaboration: A case study of a high-tech firm. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(4). Retrieved July 7, 2009, from http:\/\/jcmc.indiana.edu\/vol10\/issue4\/","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1083-6101.2005.tb00276.x"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-57","unstructured":"quan-haase.html"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-58","unstructured":"Rennecker, J., & Godwin, L. (2003). Theorizing the unintended consequences of instant messaging productivity. Sprouts: Working Papers on Information Environments, Systems and Organizations, 3(3), 137\u2013168."},{"key":"jec.2010070102-59","author":"L.Richards","year":"1999","journal-title":"Using NVivo in qualitative research"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1525\/aa.1968.70.6.02a00030"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1515\/semi.1973.8.4.289"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-62","author":"L. S.Sproull","year":"1991","journal-title":"Connections: New ways of working in the networked organization"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-63","unstructured":"Squires, L. (2003, October). College students in multimedia relationships: Choosing, using, and fusing communication technologies. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association of Internet Researchers, Toronto, ON, Canada."},{"key":"jec.2010070102-64","unstructured":"Statistics Canada. (2009). University enrolments by registration and sex, by province. Retrieved July 9, 2009, from http:\/\/www40.statcan.gc.ca\/l01\/cst01\/educ53a-eng.htm"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-65","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Su, N. M., & Mark, G. (2008). Communication chains and multitasking. In Proceedings of ACM CHI 2008 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 83\u201392). New York: ACM Press.","DOI":"10.1145\/1357054.1357069"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-66","author":"L. A.Suchman","year":"1987","journal-title":"Plans and situated actions: The problem of human-machine communication"},{"issue":"2","key":"jec.2010070102-67","first-page":"4","article-title":"Consumption of multiple concurrent identities: The need from the instant messaging virtual community.","volume":"11","author":"M. H.Tran","year":"2004","journal-title":"Australasian Journal of Information Systems"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1145\/506218.506221"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev.soc.22.1.213"},{"key":"jec.2010070102-70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Woerner, S. L., Yates, J., & Orlikowski, W. J. (2007, January). Conversational coherence in instant messaging and getting work done. Paper presented at the 40th Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences, Waikoloa, HI. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from http:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=952040","DOI":"10.1109\/HICSS.2007.152"}],"container-title":["International Journal of e-Collaboration"],"original-title":[],"language":"ng","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.igi-global.com\/viewtitle.aspx?TitleId=44908","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,2]],"date-time":"2022-06-02T00:45:44Z","timestamp":1654130744000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/services.igi-global.com\/resolvedoi\/resolve.aspx?doi=10.4018\/jec.2010070102"}},"subtitle":["Failures, Strategies, and Negative Consequences"],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2010,7,1]]},"references-count":71,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2010,7]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4018\/jec.2010070102","relation":{},"ISSN":["1548-3673","1548-3681"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1548-3673","type":"print"},{"value":"1548-3681","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2010,7,1]]}}}