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Paper Number
1642
Paper Type
Complete
Abstract
How individuals experience flow at work has been attracting interest recently in information systems (IS) research. Flow, the experience of deep absorption, is essential for knowledge workers like software developers. Previous research has focused on individual flow experiences. However, the nature of software developers’ work is highly collaborative, which exposes them to many interruptions in their work activities. While emerging IS research has highlighted that interruptions are disruptive to flow, understanding of the positive impact of interruptions is limited. Given the collaborative nature of knowledge work, it is essential to consider individual and collaborative flow states. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study, interviewing 25 software developers about their flow experiences, and distinguishing between co-located and remote work settings. We identified collaborative and non-collaborative flow states and how interruptions impact these states by disrupting or advancing flow. Our findings contribute to understanding flow experiences in collaborative knowledge work.
Recommended Citation
Ritonummi, Saima; Kotlarsky, Julia; Siitonen, Valtteri; Salo, Markus; and Pirkkalainen, Henri, "The Impact of Interruptions on Different Types of Flow in Collaborative Software Development Work" (2024). ICIS 2024 Proceedings. 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2024/isdesign/isdesign/2
The Impact of Interruptions on Different Types of Flow in Collaborative Software Development Work
How individuals experience flow at work has been attracting interest recently in information systems (IS) research. Flow, the experience of deep absorption, is essential for knowledge workers like software developers. Previous research has focused on individual flow experiences. However, the nature of software developers’ work is highly collaborative, which exposes them to many interruptions in their work activities. While emerging IS research has highlighted that interruptions are disruptive to flow, understanding of the positive impact of interruptions is limited. Given the collaborative nature of knowledge work, it is essential to consider individual and collaborative flow states. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study, interviewing 25 software developers about their flow experiences, and distinguishing between co-located and remote work settings. We identified collaborative and non-collaborative flow states and how interruptions impact these states by disrupting or advancing flow. Our findings contribute to understanding flow experiences in collaborative knowledge work.
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