Cyberslacking or Smart Work: Smartphone Usage Log-Analysis Focused on App-Switching Behavior in Work and Leisure Conditions

Abstract

As smartphones can handle work and leisure activities simultaneously, cyberslacking and the collapse of work-life balance are causing social problems. Hence, in this study we analyzed users' smartphone usage behavior and the transition pattern between work and non-work behaviors using log data collected automatically from an actual site. The collected log data were divided into four types of sessions according to work-related characteristics. No significant difference was found in frequency, usage time, or app type between work conditions. Additionally, the pattern of consecutively switching between work and non-work conditions more than four times occurred the most. This results in work and non-work behaviors on smartphones being mixed, with chemical convergence beyond the physical level. Thus, we assert that a new method of smartphone management that will selectively block micro-activity within each app is needed beyond self-discipline or existing blocking approaches in the workplace.