Flexwork, Work–Family Boundaries, and Information and Communication Technologies

Boundary communication: how smartphone use after hours is associated with work-life conflict and organizational identification

“…The use of ICTs at home for work purposes is associated with both positive and negative effects for the employee (e.g. Derks et al, 2016;Rice, 2017).…”

“…However, negative effects include cross-border conflict. In particular, ICT use can lead to more frequent encroachment of work on family and personal time (Boswell & Olson-Buchanan, 2007;Rice, 2017), blurring boundaries by presenting yet another job demand from one domain to the other (Voydanoff, 2005), and creating obligations of connectedness and reduced resources for family and personal life, thus increasing work-life conflict (Valcour & Hunter, 2008). Several studies and reviews have examined and demonstrated relationships between ICT use after hours and work-life conflict (e.g.…”

“…Several studies and reviews have examined and demonstrated relationships between ICT use after hours and work-life conflict (e.g. Boswell & Olson-Buchanan, 2007;Derks et al, 2015;Fenner & Renn, 2010;Golden & Geisler, 2007;Rice, 2017).…”

“…Smartphone mobility, constant connectedness, and identifiability are likely to foster greater boundary-crossing than, say, landline telephone or desktop or even laptop computers. Knowledge workers can come to rely heavily on their smartphones both during their work and non-work time to perform work-related tasks, such as answering work emails while travelling or in the home domain, to continue activities from the current day as well as to prepare for the next (Derks et al, 2015;Derks & Bakker, 2014;Mazmanian et al, 2013;Rice, 2017). Richardson and Benbunan-Fich's study (2011) of media organization employees considered the influences of organization provision of wireless devices (25% of employees) and laptops (20%), individual dispositions, and organizational norms on work connectivity after hours.…”

“…We follow Boswell and Olson-Buchanan (2007) in using the term 'after-hours work,' referring to work conducted outside of regular or formal work hours or during non-work time. Thus, it does not include work as part of a formal telecommuting, flexible work, or freelancing position (Fenner & Renn, 2010;Rice, 2017).…”