Digital intrusions or distraction at work and work‐Life conflict. (23rd February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farivar, Farveh; Esmaeelinezhad, Osveh; Richardson, Julia
• Is Part Of: New technology, work and employment. Volume 37:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2022-02-23
• Subjects: digital distraction -- digital intrusion -- IT professionals -- online messaging -- work‐life conflict; Labor supply -- Effect of technological innovations on -- Periodicals; 338.064
• DOI: 10.1111/ntwe.12235
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-1072

Abstract

Abstract: Internet usage for non‐work activities during work hours is an increasingly common concern among management scholars and practitioners as well as for employees, particularly in relation to its impact on work‐life conflict and individual well‐being. Drawing on memory for goals theory, this study investigates the distinction between digital intrusions and digital interruptions during work and their concomitant impact on work‐life conflict. Using a set‐theoretic approach to analyse data gathered from information technology (IT) professionals in Germany and Australia, we explain how a 2 * 2 matrix comprising non‐work online messaging, or personal digital communication, during work and intrusion contributes to work‐life conflict. A key finding is that employees reported work‐life conflict only if they perceived private messaging as a source of intrusion rather than as a distraction. From a practical perspective, this finding suggests that employers may provide employees with micro‐breaks to attend to perceived intrusions and thus reduce sources of work‐life conflict. Contributions and suggestions for future studies are discussed.