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Article
The Promise and Perils of Wearable Sensors in Organizational Research
Organizational Research Methods
  • Daniel Chaffin, University of Nebraska, Kearney
  • Ralph Heidl, University of Oregon
  • John R. Hollenbeck, Michigan State University
  • Michael Howe, Iowa State University
  • Andrew Yu, Michigan State University
  • Clay Voorhees, Michigan State University
  • Roger Calantone, Michigan State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Accepted Manuscript
Publication Date
11-30-2015
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1094428115617004
Abstract
Rapid advances in mobile computing technology have the potential to revolutionize organizational research by facilitating new methods of data collection. The emergence of wearable electronic sensors in particular harbors the promise of making the large-scale collection of high-resolution data related to human interactions and social behavior economically viable. Popular press and practitioner-oriented research outlets have begun to tout the game-changing potential of wearable sensors for both researchers and practitioners. We systematically examine the utility of current wearable sensor technology for capturing behavioral constructs at the individual and team levels. In the process, we provide a model for performing validation work in this new domain of measurement. Our findings highlight the need for organizational researchers to take an active role in the development of wearable sensor systems to ensure that the measures derived from these devices and sensors allow us to leverage and extend the extant knowledge base. We also offer a caution regarding the potential sources of error arising from wearable sensors in behavioral research.
Comments

This is a manuscript of an article from Organizational Research Methods, Nov 2015; 1-29. doi: 10.1177/1094428115617004. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
The Author(s)
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Daniel Chaffin, Ralph Heidl, John R. Hollenbeck, Michael Howe, et al.. "The Promise and Perils of Wearable Sensors in Organizational Research" Organizational Research Methods (2015) p. 1 - 29
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael-howe/4/