Validation of interruption management stage model: Can we develop the human cognitive behavior model in interruptive working environment?

Abstract

Interruptions are prevalent phenomena in modern working environments, and their negative effects are widely admitted; yet, few studies have been conducted on how to successfully manage unnecessary interruption, and there are not many interface design guidelines to minimize the negative effects of interruptions. Using a customized computer software tool, a study was carried out to investigate the effects of interruptions on the different types of interruption management stages. The results showed that the scheduled stage showed the best quantitative performance (F[2, 331] = 4.71, p < 0.01) and the negotiated stage demonstrated the best qualitative performance (F[2, 74] = 7.85, p < 0.001). The results provide potential interface design guidelines in interruptive human -system interactions.