This master's thesis discusses the drawbacks and the advantages of multitasking. Due to an increased volume of work, multitasking has become problematic as a daily occupation, with an increased pressure placed on employees to perform more tasks in a shorter period of time. Multitasking is a human capacity to perform multiple tasks or activities simultaneously or in a short period of time. Switching between various tasks can lead to an inefficient use of time, which may result in mistakes made due to insufficient attention paid to the given assignments.
Studies conducted abroad have shown that people have difficulties focusing on more than one task at a time. Negative consequences related to multitasking include stress, loss of motivation to complete the original task, potential mistakes, mental fatigue, a feeling of anxiety and a fear of new interruptions. The positive effects of multitasking are diversity and dynamic nature of work; in addition, multitasking is considered as a challenge by those who perceive such work as stimulating, diverse and exciting.
The empirical part of the thesis focuses on the results of a questionnaire administered to the administrative staff at the three aforementioned universities in Slovenia, which were obtained through an online 1KA survey application. The results of the study have shown that there is no deterioration of employee performance efficiency under time pressure; however, there is a downside related to the lack of time for additional quality control of the final product. This may result in mistakes and lower output quality.
When multitasking is motivational, it brings positive effects as it reduces work monotony, making work more varied, dynamic and interesting, and thus increases employee satisfaction. On the other hand, the effects of multitasking also include stress, uncertainty, anxiety, demotivation and increased workplace dissatisfaction.
The results of this research can contribute to the better understanding of work performance in public administration which is dominated by multitasking, while at the same time providing ideas for improvement.
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