Technostressors – a boon or bane? Toward an integrative conceptual model

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the positive and negative effects of technostressors on employee attitudes using psychological need satisfaction as an explanatory mechanism and mindfulness as an individual resource, thereby developing an integrative conceptual model. Design/methodology/approach A narrative literature review was performed in the technostress, job demands-resources and mindfulness literature to develop the propositions of the integrative conceptual model. Findings This paper posits psychological need satisfaction as a mediator in the process by which technostressors impact important employee outcomes. It also proposes mindfulness as a personal resource that helps alleviate technostressor induced burnout and foster work engagement. Research limitations/implications The proposed integrative conceptual framework provides some useful directions for future empirical research on this topic of growing importance. Practical implications Based on the findings of this paper, managers can devise and implement a technostressor-specific mitigation strategy to cope with information and communication technology–induced work demands. They can also introduce mindfulness-based programs to support positive outcomes when technostressors are present. Originality/value This paper is the first to theoretically delineate specific characteristics of technostressors as challenge and hindrance demands and makes interdisciplinary contributions by extending the role of psychological mechanisms such as psychological need satisfaction and personal resources such as mindfulness in work-related technology use research.

Overcoming the “Dark Side” of Technology—A Scoping Review on Preventing and Coping with Work-Related Technostress

“…Holistic approaches may include peer-to-peer or supervisor-to-employee coaching and mentoring to cope with techno-stressors [ 93 ]. Thereby, although mitigation strategies should be implemented techno-stressor-specific [ 165 ], technostress countermeasures do not necessarily be technology-specific [ 60 ]. Organisational measures such as flexible working times and break sequences as well as opportunities for exchange could further contribute to building social bonds and reducing techno-uncertainty [ 65 , 113 ].…”

Effect of Algorithmic Transparency on Gig Workers’ Proactive Service Performance: A Moderated Chain Mediation Model

“…Secondly, rising algorithmic complexity leads to impediments for employees in understanding and utilizing algorithms, may make it difficult for employees to understand the platform's published algorithmic policies (D'Arcy et al, 2014), and creates continuous learning pressure, work stress, etc. for employees (Ramesh et al, 2021). Complex machine languages place high demands on em-ployees' algorithmic literacy, and excessive algorithmic complexity leads to cognitive burden on employees (You et al, 2022).…”

Technostress Creators and Employee’s Well-Being at a Telecommunication Company in Sarawak, Malaysia

“…Given the wide range of ICTs, it is reasonable to believe that a lack of productivity and job satisfaction among employees is due in part to a problem with mobile technology overload (Yin et al, 2018). Ramesh et al (2021) highlight that the time, role, and job security pressures generated by techno stressors serve as lowintensity psychological pressures, which are encountered over the course of one's working life, contribute to exhaustion and burnout. Therefore, the researchers proposed the following hypothesis: H1: There is a significant relationship between techno-overload and employees' well-being.…”