Paper Number
ICIS2025-1004
Paper Type
Complete
Abstract
The software industry exemplifies the temporal complexity of knowledge-intensive work, where time pressures and temporal demands make effective time management critical. Flow, a state of deep absorption and enjoyment, is essential for developers’ productivity and well-being, yet the interplay between temporality and flow remains underexplored. This study investigates flow experiences in software development through a temporal lens. Based on interviews with 25 developers, we identify two mechanisms, temporal alignment and temporal friction, which respectively support or disrupt flow. We also distinguish two temporal orientations, deep flow, characterized by complete absorption and high temporal distortion, and iterative flow, characterized by rhythmic progress and moderate temporal distortion. These findings advance information systems (IS) research by revealing how temporality unfolds in flow experiences in information systems development (ISD) and provide practical guidance for minimizing temporal friction and fostering flow through temporal alignment in time-intensive occupations.
Recommended Citation
Ritonummi, Saima; Siitonen, Valtteri; Salo, Markus; and Pirkkalainen, Henri, "Temporality in Flow: Navigating Temporal Alignment and Friction in Software Development" (2025). ICIS 2025 Proceedings. 1.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2025/isdesign/isdesign/1
Temporality in Flow: Navigating Temporal Alignment and Friction in Software Development
The software industry exemplifies the temporal complexity of knowledge-intensive work, where time pressures and temporal demands make effective time management critical. Flow, a state of deep absorption and enjoyment, is essential for developers’ productivity and well-being, yet the interplay between temporality and flow remains underexplored. This study investigates flow experiences in software development through a temporal lens. Based on interviews with 25 developers, we identify two mechanisms, temporal alignment and temporal friction, which respectively support or disrupt flow. We also distinguish two temporal orientations, deep flow, characterized by complete absorption and high temporal distortion, and iterative flow, characterized by rhythmic progress and moderate temporal distortion. These findings advance information systems (IS) research by revealing how temporality unfolds in flow experiences in information systems development (ISD) and provide practical guidance for minimizing temporal friction and fostering flow through temporal alignment in time-intensive occupations.
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