Excessive technology use in the post-pandemic context: how work connectivity behavior increases procrastination at work
Information Technology & People
ISSN: 0959-3845
Article publication date: 13 February 2023
Issue publication date: 18 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Using role stress theory, this study examines how work connectivity behavior (WCB) blurs the lines between employees' work and personal lives, thereby encouraging procrastination at work (PAW). The study also investigates the importance of role stress and remote work self-efficacy (RWSE) as mediating and moderating factors, respectively.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines the direct and indirect relationships between WCB and PAW using hierarchical regression and data from 415 Chinese teleworkers. RWSE is also estimated as a second-stage moderator.
Findings
The findings indicate that WCB has a direct and indirect (via role stress) positive influence on PAW; however, these effects are weaker among employees with higher (vs lower) RWSE.
Practical implications
This study assists managers and organizations in developing more efficient ways of maximizing employee and organizational performance while minimizing the counterproductive behaviors associated with excessive technology use.
Originality/value
By investigating the links between WCB and PAW in the post-pandemic context, this study adds a new perspective on how excessive technology use for work and non-work purposes can be counterproductive.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Program for the Philosophy and Social Sciences Key Research Base of Higher Education Institutions of Shanxi (PSRB) under Grant (No. W20210011); Program for the Innovative Talents of Higher Education Institutions of Shanxi (PTIT) under Grant (No. 20191043); Youth Project of China's National Social Science Foundation (No. 19CGL023); Project for the Youth Foundation of Humanity and Social Science of Ministry of Education (No. 18YJC630175) and the teaching reform project of Taiyuan University of Science and Technology (No. 202074).
Citation
Yao, S., Lu, J., Wang, H., Montgomery, J.J.W., Gorny, T. and Ogbonnaya, C. (2024), "Excessive technology use in the post-pandemic context: how work connectivity behavior increases procrastination at work", Information Technology & People, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 583-604. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-08-2022-0573
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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