Multiple Conversations During Organizational Meetings: Development of the Multicommunicating Scale

1. Keri K. Stephens keristephens@mail.utexas.edu
   1. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

Abstract

People are increasingly using their mobile devices to multitask and carry on multiple conversations in organizations. This study contributes to the growing work in multicommunication—communication practices involving technology where people conduct multiple, nearly simultaneous conversations. Through quantification of the communicative behaviors involved in the practice of multicommunicating, this study helps to operationalize this construct and, by refining measurement, contributes directly to theory development. The resulting model suggests that multicommunication in meetings consists of five major factors. While the factors of Informing, Influencing, and Supporting Others might be the most obvious functions of multicommunicating, the other two factors, Participating In Parallel Meetings and Being Available, provide additional insight into the influential role that others have in the practice of multicommunicating. Future directions and implications for using this scale are also discussed.

Multiple Conversations During Organizational Meetings: Development of the Multicommunicating Scale