Framing multitasking: practices, experiences and negotiations of multitasking in spatio-temporalities of everyday life

Abstract

To date, multitasking is found to occur in a wide variety of situational settings and argued to involve different implications for individuals. Nonetheless, there is a lack of a sound theoretical understanding of the complexities involved in multitasking. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide insight into the spatio-temporalities of multitasking and people’s experiences and negotiations of multitasking practices. This study draws on the concept of attention and a relational approach to emphasize multitasking is a process embedded by the interaction of individuals and the environment. Empirically supported by qualitative data, this study shows multitasking is performed in different spatiotemporal situations and involves different activity combinations. People’s varying experiences stem from these performances and the complexities at play in multitasking practices. In response to their experiences of activity performances and lived time, people employ several strategies to negotiate multitasking.