Multitasking and procrastination at work: Moderating and mediating effects of internal control and harmonious versus obsessive work passion

Multitasking has garnered interest from scholars as a method to boost daily efficiency at work. In this research we developed a model of multitasking based on the opportunity–threat framework and the binary work passion model. We proposed that multitasking could either reduce procrastination through harmonious work passion (opportunity) or increase it through obsessive work passion (burden), and examined the moderating role of employees’ internal control in these two pathways. We obtained self-reported data from 450 employees of firms based in Shanxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, and Xinjiang, China, at two time points. Using the bootstrapping method, we tested the hypotheses. The results showed that internal control positively moderated the relationship between multitasking and harmonious work passion, and negatively moderated the relationship between multitasking and obsessive work passion. These findings indicate that multitasking can stimulate harmonious work passion and reduce procrastination, and can intensify obsessive work passion and procrastination. Theoretical insights and practical recommendations are provided for effective management and utilization of multitasking.