The effects of computer monitoring on employee performance and stress: results of two experimental studies

Author

Huston, Terry L. ; Galletta, Dennis E. ; Huston, Janis L.

Author_Institution

Katz Graduate Sch. of Bus., Pittsburgh Univ., Philadelphia, PA, USA

fYear

1993

fDate

5-8 Jan 1993

Firstpage

568

Abstract

Computer performance monitoring systems are becoming pervasive, and there are some concerns about widespread effects on worker performance and stress when such systems are used. Two laboratory studies were performed which examined the effects of monitoring in two different environments. Both settings involved routine as well as creative tasks in comparing performance and stress under monitored versus nonmonitored conditions. Results showed that the effects of monitoring on stress appeared to be mixed. Further, work quality appeared to suffer as a result of using a computerized monitor, but the speed of completion increased sharply, indicating that computer monitoring might increase worker efficiency (as designed). However, if the highest quality is needed, then a monitor might not be desirable

Keywords

administrative data processing; computerised monitoring; human factors; personnel; completion speed; computer monitoring; creative tasks; employee performance; employee stress; nonmonitored conditions; performance monitoring systems; routine tasks; work quality; worker efficiency; Bridges; Computer performance; Computerized monitoring; Condition monitoring; Control systems; Costs; Electrical resistance measurement; Hardware; Occupational stress; Pervasive computing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

System Sciences, 1993, Proceeding of the Twenty-Sixth Hawaii International Conference on

Conference_Location

Wailea, HI

Print_ISBN

0-8186-3230-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/HICSS.1993.284234

Filename

284234