The Relation Between Procrastination and Task Performance

Delaying or postponing the priority activities with deadlines without a logical reason is called procrastination. The procrastination is actually a decision. Although there are options that will prevent the individual from delaying work, procrastination decision may become more and more permanent over time. Plotlines may become illogical and it may become an ongoing habit of the person. The procrastination can be observed by the people around and it also affects the cognitive processes of the individual's inner world. It subconsciously causes the individual to develop avoidance reflex. Fear and failure are given as the causes of procrastination. Task performance is defined as an individual to fulfil his/her duties by using required knowledge, skills, talent, and motivation in line with the job description. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of procrastination on the task performance, according the situations that the individuals experience in the business life. The empirical part of the study was conducted using questionnaires. The study sample consists of 121 employees from 8 production facilities located in Eskişehir, Sakarya and Bursa provinces. Firstly, the demographic data of the participants were examined. Explanatory Factor Analysis and Reliability Analysis were performed. The relationship between research variables were analysed using the Structural Equation Model. As a result of the analyses, it was seen that there was negative and low relationship between the Procrastination due to the Work Characteristics and the Task Performance. Also, there was a negative and high relationship between the Procrastination due to The Personality Characteristics and Task Performance. According to these findings, if the employee’s work-related procrastination increases, the task performance of the employee decreases in some amount. However, if the employee’s personality-related procrastination increases, the task performance of the employee decreases significantly. As a result, it has been emphasized that the procrastination behaviour of the individuals should be taken into consideration while evaluating the task performance.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Procrastination, Task performance, Structural Equation Model

Delaying or postponing the priority activities with deadlines without a logical reason is called procrastination. The procrastination is actually a decision. Although there are options that will prevent the individual from delaying work, procrastination decision may become more and more permanent over time. Plotlines may become illogical and it may become an ongoing habit of the person. The procrastination can be observed by the people around and it also affects the cognitive processes of the individual's inner world. It subconsciously causes the individual to develop avoidance reflex. Fear and failure are given as the causes of procrastination. Task performance is defined as an individual to fulfil his/her duties by using required knowledge, skills, talent, and motivation in line with the job description. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of procrastination on the task performance, according the situations that the individuals experience in the business life. The empirical part of the study was conducted using questionnaires. The study sample consists of 121 employees from 8 production facilities located in Eskişehir, Sakarya and Bursa provinces. Firstly, the demographic data of the participants were examined. Explanatory Factor Analysis and Reliability Analysis were performed. The relationship between research variables were analysed using the Structural Equation Model. As a result of the analyses, it was seen that there was negative and low relationship between the Procrastination due to the Work Characteristics and the Task Performance. Also, there was a negative and high relationship between the Procrastination due to The Personality Characteristics and Task Performance. According to these findings, if the employee’s work-related procrastination increases, the task performance of the employee decreases in some amount. However, if the employee’s personality-related procrastination increases, the task performance of the employee decreases significantly. As a result, it has been emphasized that the procrastination behaviour of the individuals should be taken into consideration while evaluating the task performance.

Keywords: Procrastination, Task performance, Structural Equation Model

Sayfa Aralığı: 193-206

Çetin, O. I. & Kumkale, İ. (2017). The Relation Between Procrastination and Task Performance. Journal of Current Researches on Business and Economics, 7 (2), 193-206.