Segmentation preference and technostress: Integrators’ vs segmenters’ experience of technology-induced demands and related spill-over effects

Abstract

Remote work is becoming the “new normal”, and more people are working in the home office due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boundary management and the individual preferences to segment work and private life are a current topic of research as digital technologies have the potential to aggravate segmentation due to their invasive effect. In this context, we add to a current research stream on technostress, investigating technology-driven spill-over in a longitudinal study based on data assessed during the pandemic. The use of communication technologies leads to work-to-family stress due to the occurrence of techno-stressors interruptions, invasion, and overload. Differences between “segmenters” (people with a strong wish for separation) and “integrators” (who rather integrate life domains) were found. They experience techno-stressors differently in dependence on their technology use. Our paper offers interesting theoretical insights into boundary transcending effects of technology use. Recommendations for employers on how to shape the “new normal” are discussed.