Reflecting on the “Dark Side” of Information Technology Use

Abstract

The authors of this article participated in a panel session at the Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) 2012 with the objective to advance knowledge in areas related to the “dark side” of information technology (IT) use in organizations. We introduced new areas of exploration and disseminated new points of view on the potentially negative impacts of IT use. We drew upon our collective research and practice-related insights in five areas that characterize the dark side of IT use, namely―IT-usage-related stress, work overload, interruptions, addiction, and misuse. 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. We discussed the relevance and implications of the topic to the IS research and practice communities.