Exploring the role of information systems-induced depletion, boreout syndrome, social media use on quiet quitting among digital cohorts

Abstract

This research explores the socio-technical factors behind employees’ quiet quitting by investigating how social factors (boreout syndrome and digital cohorts) and technical factors (IS-induced depletion and social media usage) interact to encourage this behavior. A two-wave design across two independent studies was used with an expanded analytical approach. Study 1 used a symmetric variable-based analysis to identify IS-induced depletion, boreout, low social media usage, and digital immigrant status as key predictors of quiet quitting. In Study 2, boreout, social media usage, and digital immigrant status emerged as significant predictors. An asymmetric case-based analysis further demonstrated that quiet quitting results from combinations of conditions: in Study 1, IS-induced depletion and boreout were prevalent among digital immigrants with low social media usage. Similarly, in Study 2, IS-induced depletion and boreout occurred among digital natives or individuals with low social media usage. Contrary to the assumption that digital natives are more prone to quiet quitting, the findings indicate that digital immigrants are, in fact, more susceptible to this behavior when exposed to these stressors.