Abstract: In manufacturing processes, some interruptions occur with random timing and duration. Such interruptions can provide employees with brief breaks without fully diverting their attention, these interruptions are not always harmful to employees. In other words, they have a “double-edged sword” effect on employee productivity. To investigate this effect, this study draws on interruption cost theory and the forgetting curve to analyze the impact of the duration and frequency of random interruptions on employee production efficiency. An empirical study is conducted using data collected from an assembly line in a mechanical parts manufacturing plant. The findings reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between interruption duration and employee productivity, as well as between interruption frequency and productivity. Furthermore, interruption frequency negatively moderates the inverted U-shaped relationship between interruption duration and output. These findings provide practical insights for managers to optimize and adjust employee work processes.

Key words: interruption, duration, frequency, productivity, manufacturing