Start Date
12-16-2013
Description
Information technology addiction (IT addiction) is a growing threat to quality of life and work performance. Online social networks, computer games and email are among the main culprits of such addiction. Surprisingly, the MIS literature has paid scant attention to this important area of research. An important limitation of past research is a focus that is too narrow to study the overall dynamics of IT addiction. This proposed research aims to lay a foundation for understanding these dynamics by developing a measurement instrument using a multi-method approach. Based on theories of rewards and self-control, I will first define IT addiction and develop an initial questionnaire instrument to measure it. I will then conduct interviews, a questionnaire survey, and an experiment to refine and validate the scale. The results should pave the way for further academic inquiry into the nature of this ever-important construct.
Recommended Citation
Zwanenburg, Sander, "Information Technology Addiction: Construct Development and Measurement" (2013). ICIS 2013 Proceedings. 42.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2013/proceedings/ResearchInProgress/42
Information Technology Addiction: Construct Development and Measurement
Information technology addiction (IT addiction) is a growing threat to quality of life and work performance. Online social networks, computer games and email are among the main culprits of such addiction. Surprisingly, the MIS literature has paid scant attention to this important area of research. An important limitation of past research is a focus that is too narrow to study the overall dynamics of IT addiction. This proposed research aims to lay a foundation for understanding these dynamics by developing a measurement instrument using a multi-method approach. Based on theories of rewards and self-control, I will first define IT addiction and develop an initial questionnaire instrument to measure it. I will then conduct interviews, a questionnaire survey, and an experiment to refine and validate the scale. The results should pave the way for further academic inquiry into the nature of this ever-important construct.