Family and work-related consequences of addiction to organizational pervasive technologies

an article by Ofir Turel (California State University – Fullerton), Alexander Serenko (Lakehead University, Ontario), and Nick Bontis (McMaster University, Ontario) published in Information & Management (Volume 48 Issues 2-3 (March 2011))

Abstract

While organizational pervasive technologies, such as mobile computing, can contribute to increased productivity, their nature can also result in technology addiction. We applied the behavior–environment interface of social cognitive theory to explain several negative familial and organizational consequences of addiction to work-related pervasive technologies. Our empirical study of 241 organizational mobile email users revealed that their levels of addiction to mobile email increased their perceived work overload and technology–family conflict. Perceived work overload, in turn, reduced their organizational commitment. Furthermore, elevated levels of perceived work overload together with augmented technology–family conflict fostered work–family conflict. Implications for research and practice are suggested.

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