Technology changes at work and employee reactions: The role of leader behavior

Abstract

New technology is implemented frequently in the workplace, placing new demands on employees that may cause stress and anxiety in the process. In addition, many people now engage in virtual work with few human interactions and an increased possibility of frustration with new, complicated technology. Employee attitudes toward new technology are important because attitudes influence behavior. Thus, manager behavior that impacts employee attitudes toward new technology may, in turn, influence employee work behaviors that are necessary for efficiency and productivity. Cognitive dissonance theory [7] is used in the present study to examine the link between manager behavior, employee attitude toward new technology, employee attitude toward virtual work, and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Results show that relationship-oriented leader behavior is positively related to attitude toward new technology and the OCB dimensions of civic virtue and loyalty, but task-oriented leader behavior is not. Attitude toward new technology is positively related to attitude toward virtual work, civic virtue and loyalty. These findings suggest that manager behavior does influence employee attitudes toward new technology and toward virtual work. As a result, managers may want to consider their leadership style when introducing new technology in the workplace.

Reactions towards organizational change: a systematic literature review

“…Moreover, another study presented reactions of employees to digitally enabled work events and how digital technology affects employees ‘emotions (Beare et al, 2020 ). Lilly and Durr ( 2012 ), discussed the effect of implementing new technology on increasing the anxiety and stress among employees. Similarly, employees’ reactions towards technological change implemented in a bank were analyzed (Vakola, 2016 ).…”

Les objets connectés pour améliorer la culture de la production épurée : revue de littérature et esquisse de solution applicable aux entreprises manufacturières

“…L'arrivée des technologies de l'industrie 4.0 dans le secteur manufacturier n'aura pas seulement un effet sur la modernisation des outils de production, mais très probablement sur les comportements des personnes impliquées dans les opérations quotidiennes. Dans le domaine des sciences sociales, l'émergence de ces technologies a impulsé le concept de « Behavior Change Technology » dont le but est de développer des systèmes spécifiques pour l'adoption des comportements ciblés (Productive Edge Team, 2015) et des travaux de recherchent renseignent que ces technologies peuvent jouer un rôle d'amplificateur des comportements déjà existants, de promotion des nouveaux comportements ou de maintien de la dynamique de changement comportemental (Joinson & Piwek, 2013), (Lilly & Durr, 2012), (Locke, 2009), (Cascio & Montealegre, 2016).…”

Human Resources Management in the Industrial Revolution 4.0: General and Polish Perspective

“…As J.D. Lilly and D.W. Durr [15] say, many people now engage in work with few human interactions but there is an increased possibility of frustration with new, complex technology.…”