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E-mail load, workload stress and desired e-mail load: a cybernetic approach

Author

Listed:
  • Jean-François Stich

    (ICN Business School, CEREFIGE - Centre Européen de Recherche en Economie Financière et Gestion des Entreprises - UL - Université de Lorraine)

  • Monideepa Tarafdar

    (LUMS - Lancaster University Management School - Lancaster University)

  • Patrick Stacey

    (Loughborough University)

  • Cary L. Cooper

    (Alliance MBS - Alliance Manchester Business School - University of Manchester [Manchester])

Abstract

Purpose-Using email is a time-consuming activity that can increase workload stress. This paper investigates the relationship between the individual's email load, workload stress and desired email load, drawing from the cybernetic theory of stress. Design/methodology/approach-Based on prior theory, we first hypothesized relationships among email load, workplace stress and desired email load. We then tested these relationships on a sample of 504 full-time workers in the U.S., using survey data and covariance based structural equation modeling techniques. Findings-We find that (1) higher email load is associated with higher workload stress; (2) higher workload stress is associated with lower desired email load; (3) lower desired email load is associated with lower email load; and (4) higher workload stress is associated with higher psychological strain, higher negative emotions, and lower organizational commitment. Originality/value-The study provides a novel understanding of workload stress due to email load, through the lens of cybernetic theory. It contributes to the email overload and technostress literatures by conceptualizing desired email load as a potential outcome of workplace stress and as a regulator for email load. For practitioners, the study highlights the importance of managing employees' email load to prevent the negative effects of workplace stress and associated strains.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-François Stich & Monideepa Tarafdar & Patrick Stacey & Cary L. Cooper, 2019. "E-mail load, workload stress and desired e-mail load: a cybernetic approach," Post-Print hal-01881947, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01881947
    DOI: 10.1108/itp-10-2017-0321
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01881947
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Burgess, Anthony & Jackson, Thomas & Edwards, Janet, 2005. "Email training significantly reduces email defects," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 71-83.
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    3. Yoram M. Kalman & Gilad Ravid, 2015. "Filing, piling, and everything in between: The dynamics of E-mail inbox management," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 66(12), pages 2540-2552, December.
    4. Stephen R. Barley & Debra E. Meyerson & Stine Grodal, 2011. "E-mail as a Source and Symbol of Stress," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(4), pages 887-906, August.
    5. M. Lynne Markus, 1994. "Electronic Mail as the Medium of Managerial Choice," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 5(4), pages 502-527, November.
    6. Rosseel, Yves, 2012. "lavaan: An R Package for Structural Equation Modeling," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 48(i02).
    7. Jean-François Stich & Monideepa Tarafdar & Cary Cooper, 2018. "Electronic communication in the workplace: boon or bane?," Post-Print hal-01725240, HAL.
    8. Chris Kimble & Paul Hildreth & David J Grimshaw, 2005. "The Role of Contextual Clues in the Creation of Information Overload," Game Theory and Information 0504003, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Jackson, Thomas W. & Farzaneh, Pourya, 2012. "Theory-based model of factors affecting information overload," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 523-532.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giorgia Bondanini & Gabriele Giorgi & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz & Paola Andreucci-Annunziata, 2020. "Technostress Dark Side of Technology in the Workplace: A Scientometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, October.

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