Gain vs. Strain: A Systematic Literature Review on Technology Based Work Extension

Abstract

Workers engage in work-related communication and access digital work content outside of working hours. Scientific research on technology-based work extending behaviours has flourished in recent decades but has produced rather vague information about its relationship with workers' wellbeing. To answer this crucial question on wellbeing more clearly, we believe it necessary to recognize the complexity of this contemporary behavioural phenomenon and to differentiate its various time patterns. We systematically searched and analysed 81 questionnaire studies. Based on their measures, we were able to analyse the relationship between continuous (i.e., consecutive activities with a certain duration) and recurring work extending behaviours (i.e., activities with a certain frequency with a noticeable break in between) and various wellbeing indicators. Findings point towards three effects: a time-loss effect that is linked to both time patterns and relates to reduced time resources for private life and recovery, a straining effect of recurring work extending associated with negative affect and poor quality of life, and a gain effect of continuous work extending associated with higher levels of cognitive resources. We encourage future research to continue on this path and to systematically explore technology-based work extending in relation to all its temporal aspects.