Data: Mercoledì 15 Aprile 2026, ore 12:15
Luogo: Aula 237, 2° Piano DEM
Relatore: Alessandro Salis (University of Bologna and University of Sassari)
Titolo: The Impact of Scheduled Breaks and Cyberloafing on Productivity: Evidence from a Continuous-Time Real-Effort Experiment
Abstract:
This paper examines how scheduled breaks and access to online distractions affect productivity in cognitively demanding tasks. We conducted a continuous-time real-effort experiment with 271 participants, generating over 57,000 second-by-second observations and allowing for a high-frequency analysis of productivity dynamics. The findings show that both scheduled breaks and cyberloafing opportunities shape performance from the very beginning of the task. In particular, the absence of an early break is associated with lower productivity, consistent with anticipatory effort management. Moreover, combining scheduled breaks with internet access appears to mitigate the appeal of unscheduled browsing, helping sustain performance over time. These effects are robust across a range of individual characteristics, including self-control, grit, and personality traits. Overall, the paper contributes to the literature on productivity and workplace design by highlighting the role of both formal breaks and informal online distractions in shaping effort over time.
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Organizzatore del seminario: Francesco Valentini