Technology Tetheredness and Employees Innovative Work Behavior and Adaptive Performance During and After COVID-19

Abstract

The modern workplace demands new work patterns and employee adaptability to stay competitive; the less dependent employees are on technology, the more they can achieve in innovative work behavior, particularly in technology-driven industries. Thus, this study emphasizes the need to explore and identify factors that negatively affect the innovative work behavior and adaptive performance of employees in the IT industry. This dissertation aimed to contribute to the body of knowledge on IWB and employee adaptive performance by examining the factors that can hinder IWB and adaptive performance, how this can happen, and the boundaries within which it can flourish. This was done by employing a mediation mechanism. To gather primary data, 800 survey questionnaires were distributed to software companies and software developers. A total of 504 survey questionnaires were returned, of which 462 were considered valid after removing incomplete questionnaires and outliers. The present study used pre-existing measures, and we assessed their validation and reliability through various procedures. To further investigate the indirect relationship of tetheredness to technology and IWB and employee adaptive performance, mediation analysis was also performed. The data show a strong (negative) relationship between tetheredness to technology and IWB and employee adaptive performance. According to my model, emotional factors (i.e., emotional exhaustion and restlessness) mediate the relationship between IWB and employee adaptive performance, and between tetheredness to technology and employee adaptive performance. Additionally, emotional factors (emotional exhaustion and restlessness) moderate the relationship between IWB and entrepreneurial leadership. Moreover, family background mediates the association between emotional factors (emotional exhaustion and restlessness) and employee adaptive performance. The study also discussed its limitations, possible implications, and future research directions in the context of the findings. Studies indicate that IT managers and professionals can help staff think outside the box by implementing policies that reduce the impact of being "tethered" to technology.