A Peek into the Working Day: Comparing Techniques for Recording Employee Behaviour

Tea Šinik, Iris Beerepoot*, Hajo A. Reijers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Detailed recordings of employee behaviour can give organisations valuable insights into their work processes. However, recording techniques each have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of their obtrusiveness for participants, the richness of information they capture, and the risks that are involved. In an effort to systematically compare recording techniques, we conducted a multiple-case study at a multinational professional services organisation. We followed six participants for a working day, comparing the outcomes from non-participant observation, screen recording, and timesheet techniques. We generated 136:04 h of data and 849 records of activities. We identified 58 differences between the techniques. The results show that the use of only one technique will not produce a complete and accurate record of the activities that occur on the screen (online), in the hallway (offline), and in the extra hours (overtime). Therefore, it is vital to choose a technique wisely, taking into account the type of information it does not capture. Furthermore, this study identifies some open challenges with respect to accurately recording employee behaviour.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearch Challenges in Information Science
Subtitle of host publicationInformation Science and the Connected World - 17th International Conference, RCIS 2023, Proceedings
EditorsSelmin Nurcan, Andreas L. Opdahl, Haralambos Mouratidis, Aggeliki Tsohou
PublisherSpringer
Pages343-359
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9783031330797
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 May 2023
Event17th International Conference on Research Challenges in Information Sciences, RCIS 2023 - Corfu, Greece
Duration: 23 May 202326 May 2023

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Business Information Processing
Volume476 LNBIP
ISSN (Print)1865-1348
ISSN (Electronic)1865-1356

Conference

Conference17th International Conference on Research Challenges in Information Sciences, RCIS 2023
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityCorfu
Period23/05/2326/05/23

Keywords

  • Data Collection Techniques
  • Employee Behaviour
  • Observation
  • Screen Recording
  • Timesheet
  • Work Patterns

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