Short answer
Design digital tools and systems with features that allow users to manage and control their engagement with work-related technology during non-work hours, fostering a sense of empowerment rather than obligation.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- International Journal of Management Reviews (2017)
- Method
- Narrative Synthesis
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Employees frequently use work-related technology during personal time, driven by organizational norms and job characteristics, which can lead to both empowerment and a sense of being overwhelmed, ultimately affecting their well-being. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in International Journal of Management Reviews. Using Narrative synthesis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design digital tools and systems with features that allow users to manage and control their engagement with work-related technology during non-work hours, fostering a sense of empowerment rather than obligation.
Voluntary Work Technology Use Blurs Boundaries, Impacts Well-being
Employees frequently use work-related technology during personal time, driven by organizational norms and job characteristics, which can lead to both empowerment and a sense of being overwhelmed, ultimately affecting their well-being.
International Journal of Management Reviews · 2017
Key Findings
- 01Social-normative organizational contexts influence voluntary technology use.
- 02Job characteristics and work processes are significant drivers of this behavior.
- 03Individual (person) characteristics play a role in adoption.
- 04Use during non-work time has implications for employee well-being.
- 05There is an 'Empowerment/Enslavement Paradox' associated with this technology use.
Application
Design takeaway
Design digital tools and systems with features that allow users to manage and control their engagement with work-related technology during non-work hours, fostering a sense of empowerment rather than obligation.
How to apply
When designing communication platforms, project management software, or any digital tool intended for professional use, incorporate features that allow users to set 'do not disturb' periods, schedule notifications, or easily switch between work and personal profiles.
Project actions
- 01Consider how your design might be used outside of formal work hours.
- 02Think about features that help users manage their time and attention.
- 03Explore the emotional impact of your design on users.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive synthesis of a fragmented research area.
- +Development of a conceptual model to guide future research.
Limitations
The findings are based on a synthesis of existing studies, which may have diverse participant groups and contexts. The 'Empowerment/Enslavement Paradox' is a complex phenomenon that is difficult to fully resolve with a single design solution.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings depends on the quality and consistency of the 56 studies reviewed. Validity is enhanced by the narrative synthesis approach, which aims to identify overarching themes across diverse research, but the interpretation of themes can be subjective.
Think critically
To what extent should designers be responsible for managing the work-life balance of users through their technology designs, and where does personal responsibility begin?
Design Principles
"Design for boundary management: Enable users to easily delineate and control their engagement with work-related digital tools during personal time."
Understanding the voluntary use of technology outside of contracted work hours is crucial for designing work environments and digital tools that support employee well-being. Designers and product developers need to consider the psychological and physiological impacts of constant connectivity and the blurring of work-life boundaries.
What This Means for Your Design
People often check work emails or do work tasks on their phones or computers when they're not supposed to be working. This study looked at why they do it and how it makes them feel, finding it can be good (feeling empowered) or bad (feeling trapped), and it affects their happiness.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the psychological impact of technology on users, particularly concerning work-life balance and digital well-being.
- 2.Use the findings to justify design choices aimed at mitigating negative effects of constant connectivity.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The voluntary use of work-related technologies during non-work hours, as highlighted by Schlachter et al. (2017), presents a significant human factors challenge. Their narrative synthesis reveals that organizational norms and job demands often drive employees to engage with work outside of contracted time, leading to a complex interplay of empowerment and potential 'enslavement.' This underscores the need for designers to create digital tools that not only facilitate connectivity but also empower users to manage boundaries effectively, thereby mitigating potential negative impacts on well-being and promoting a healthier work-life integration.
Source
International Journal of Management Reviews
Voluntary Work‐related Technology Use during Non‐work Time: A Narrative Synthesis of Empirical Research and Research Agenda
journal · 2017
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about voluntary work technology use blurs boundaries, impacts well-being?
- Design digital tools and systems with features that allow users to manage and control their engagement with work-related technology during non-work hours, fostering a sense of empowerment rather than obligation. Evidence: International Journal of Management Reviews (2017).
- Why does "Voluntary Work Technology Use Blurs Boundaries, Impacts Well-being" matter for design?
- Understanding the voluntary use of technology outside of contracted work hours is crucial for designing work environments and digital tools that support employee well-being. Designers and product developers need to consider the psychological and physiological impacts of constant connectivity and the blurring of work-life boundaries.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design digital tools and systems with features that allow users to manage and control their engagement with work-related technology during non-work hours, fostering a sense of empowerment rather than obligation.
- What were the main findings?
- Social-normative organizational contexts influence voluntary technology use.. Job characteristics and work processes are significant drivers of this behavior.. Individual (person) characteristics play a role in adoption.. Use during non-work time has implications for employee well-being.
- What research method was used?
- Narrative Synthesis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2017 journal from International Journal of Management Reviews.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing communication platforms, project management software, or any digital tool intended for professional use, incorporate features that allow users to set 'do not disturb' periods, schedule notifications, or easily switch between work and personal profiles.
- What are the limitations?
- The review synthesizes existing research, which may have varied methodologies and contexts, potentially limiting direct generalizability. The 'Empowerment/Enslavement Paradox' is complex and its resolution requires further investigation.