THE DIGITAL FUTURE: REFLECTING ON THE “DARK SIDE” OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USE

The objective of this panel is to advance knowledge in areas related to the “dark” side of IT use in organizations. Emerging and as yet nascent academic research is beginning to focus on negative impacts of IT use. The panel seeks to (1) introduce a new area of exploration and (2) disseminate new points of view. The panelists will do so by drawing upon their research and practice related insights in five areas that characterize the dark side of IT use, namely - IT usage related stress, addiction, misuse, work overload, and interruptions. These are clearly important areas to examine, given that the ubiquitous and functionally pervasive nature of IT use in organizations is expected to expose users to ever greater levels of conditions that are potent for experiencing this dark side. The proposed panel is thus of relevance and interest to the IS research and practice communities.