A trend toward Work–Life Fusion: A multi-generational shift in technology use at work

Understanding how and with your students participate in learning and how technology and social media supports that learning is a key challenge for modern higher education institutions. Learning practices intersect personal, professional and educational lives in complex, inter-connected and personally defined and managed ways. Drawing on the analysis of digital stories told by 100 students at the University of Sydney Business School, this paper will explore the unique methodological approaches of digital storytelling and student-led research to understanding how technology shapes and intersects the learning experience. It will also identify how students use technology (and especially extended forms of social media) to forms connections between their work, life, play and learning.

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Information and communication technology use and work–life integration

Handbook of Work–Life Integration Among Professionals ◽

10.4337/9781781009291.00023 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 245-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Noelle Chesley ◽

Andra Siibak ◽

Judy Wajcman

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technology ◽

Communication Technology ◽

Technology Use ◽

Work Life ◽

Information And Communication

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The new nowhere land? A research and practice agenda for the “always on” culture

Journal of Organizational Effectiveness People and Performance ◽

10.1108/joepp-05-2017-0045 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 256-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Almuth McDowall ◽

Gail Kinman

Keyword(s):

Technology Use ◽

Work Life ◽

Work Life Balance ◽

Life Balance ◽

Content Type ◽

Starting Point ◽

Technological Developments ◽

And Performance ◽

Research Frameworks ◽

Organisational Practice

Purpose Rapid developments in the field of information communication technology (ICT) mean that e-working has become increasingly common and prolonged – the “always-on-culture” potential to enhance work-life balance via increased flexibility in terms of time and location, as well as posing the risk of being “always on” has been identified with potentially serious implications for the health and performance of employees. The authors identify a research agenda as a starting point for reviewing current organisational practice. Design/methodology/approach The authors discuss current technological developments as well as prevalent research frameworks and terminology in the domain of work-life balance and beyond to evaluate their fitness for purpose. They also report findings from a survey of 374 employees working within UK businesses about current organisational practice. Findings Over half of the organisations sampled do not have clear policies, guidance or training in place regarding work-life balance and supporting employees with regards to technology enabled working and communications. The authors identify as key challenges the sheer volume of e-mail traffic, lack of training and infrastructure to support ICT-enabled working and an absence of appropriate support. Practical implications Organisations need to develop clear policies regarding the psychosocial aspects of technology use and provide evidence-based guidance to managers and employees. Social implications Managers and individuals require support to engage with technology in a healthy and sustainable way. Originality/value This is one of the first papers to survey organisational practice and support on the topic.

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Understanding stressor–strain relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of social support, adjustment to remote work, and work–life conflict

Journal of Management & Organization ◽

10.1017/jmo.2021.50 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-22

Author(s):

Ward van Zoonen ◽

Anu Sivunen ◽

Kirsimarja Blomqvist ◽

Thomas Olsson ◽

Annina Ropponen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Technology Use ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Work Life ◽

Remote Work ◽

Work Stressors ◽

Psychological Strain ◽

Theoretical Understanding ◽

Organizational Policies ◽

Work Life Conflict

Abstract This study investigates how the transition to remote work during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is experienced by employees. We investigate to what extent perceived work stressors relate to psychological strain through perceptions of social support, work–life conflict, and adjustment to remote work. The findings expound the mechanisms underlying psychological strain in the context of sudden organizational change. Specifically, this study shows that both challenge stressors and hindrance stressors have negative impact on adjustment to remote work, whereas hindrance stressors are more strongly negatively related to social support. The study further demonstrates that there is hardly any buffering impact of job control, work structuring, and communication technology use on the implications of these work stressors. These findings contribute to our theoretical understanding and provide actionable implications for organizational policies in facilitating employees' adaptation to remote work.

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