Abstract:
This article reports the results of a 33-wave longitudinal study of changes in, and reciprocal relations between, workplace digitalization and workload. Monthly data were collected between April 2020 and December 2022 from n = 1661 employees in Germany. Based on theoretical models of workplace information and communication technology use, stress, and coping, we hypothesized both positive and negative within-person effects of digitalization on workload, and vice versa. Results of an autoregressive latent trajectory model with structured residuals (ALT-SR) showed on-average positive linear trajectories in digitalization, but not in workload over time. Moreover, higher digitalization was associated with subsequently higher levels of workload, and vice versa. This pattern of results suggests a dynamic, reciprocal process wherein positive deviations from one\'s average trajectory of digitalization (workload) are associated with subsequently higher levels of workload (digitalization). We additionally find evidence for linear trends in these within-person processes, suggesting that the strength of the within-person effects of digitalization on workload, and of workload on digitalization, becomes more strongly positive over time. Practitioners developing work design interventions could focus on ways to reduce the detrimental impact of digitalization on increased workload, while simultaneously encouraging the potential of digitalization to help employees cope effectively with their workload.
摘要:
本文报告了33波纵向研究的结果,和互惠关系,工作场所数字化和工作量。月度数据是在2020年4月至2022年12月期间从德国的1661名员工中收集的。基于工作场所信息通信技术使用的理论模型,压力,和应对,我们假设数字化对工作量的积极和消极的内部影响,反之亦然。具有结构化残差(ALT-SR)的自回归潜在轨迹模型的结果在数字化中平均显示正线性轨迹,但不是随着时间的推移工作量。此外,更高的数字化与随后更高的工作量相关,反之亦然。这种结果模式表明了一种动态,交互过程,其中与数字化(工作负荷)平均轨迹的正偏差与随后更高水平的工作负荷(数字化)相关联。我们还发现了这些内部过程中线性趋势的证据,表明数字化对工作量的人内影响的强度,以及数字化的工作量,随着时间的推移变得更加积极。制定工作设计干预措施的从业者可以专注于减少数字化对工作量增加的不利影响的方法。同时鼓励数字化的潜力,以帮助员工有效应对他们的工作量。