Understanding employees' response to work-related after-hours use of instant messaging apps: a stress and coping perspective

Cheng, Hsiang-Lan; Lin, Tung-Ching; Tan, Wee-Kheng; Chiu, Chao-Min

doi:10.1108/oir-06-2020-0214

Cited by 11Work-Family Balance ChallengesCyberloafing and Workplace BehaviorTechnostress in Professional Settings

Understanding employees' response to work-related after-hours use of instant messaging apps: a stress and coping perspective

Cheng, Hsiang-Lan, Lin, Tung-Ching, Tan, Wee-Kheng, Chiu, Chao-Min·2021·Online Information Review

DOI 10.1108/oir-06-2020-0214

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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the complex relationships between permeability, work-family conflict, moral disengagement, behavioral disengagement, job strain and job engagement. In addition, this study aims to determine whether moral disengagement acts as a moderator and mediator in the relationship between work-family conflict and behavioral disengagement. Design/methodology/approach: The authors apply partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses, using a sample of 176 valid responses. Findings: The results indicate that permeability is likely to promote work-family conflict, which in turn may trigger moral disengagement. Moral disengagement may lead to behavioral disengagement, which in turn may increase job strain and decrease job engagement. The findings also show that work-family conflict does not have a significant effect on behavioral disengagement, suggesting that moral disengagement fully mediates the influence of work-family conflict on behavioral disengagement. In addition, the moderating effect of moral disengagement is not significant. Originality/value: Applying the transactional model of stress and coping theory and the moral disengagement theory, this study contributes to a better understanding of employees' experience of job strain caused by work-family conflict (induced by permeability of IM usage), as well as the employee's coping response.

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Task assignments of supervisors via an instant messenger after work hour increases work-family conflicts.
“Task assignments of supervisors via an instant messenger after work hour increases work-family conflicts”
From Leadership and technostress: A systematic literature review (2025) · cites this paper as Cheng et al. (2021)

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Authors: Cheng, H.-L., Lin, T.-C., Tan, W.-K., & Chiu, C.-M.
Affiliations: Ministry of Health and Welfare (TW)
National Sun Yat-sen University (TW)
ORCID: Cheng, Hsiang-Lan
Lin, Tung-Ching
Tan, Wee-Kheng
Chiu, Chao-Min
Venue: Online Information Review
Publisher: Emerald
Published: 2021-04-30
Volume: 45
Issue: 7
Pages: 1247-1267
ISSN: 1468-4527 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1108/oir-06-2020-0214
OpenAlex: W3159931479
Cited by: 11
References: 47
Citations by year: 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1
FWCI: 1.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.emerald.com/insight/site-policies (tdm)
Locations: Online Information Review (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Work-Family Balance Challenges
Social Sciences › Demography › Cyberloafing and Workplace Behavior
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Technostress in Professional Settings
Keywords: instant messaging apps, work-family conflict, moral disengagement, behavioral disengagement, job strain, work engagement, stress coping, transactional model of stress and coping

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Understanding employees' response to work-related after-hours use of instant messaging apps: a stress and coping perspective

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