Technology takes away my power! The mediating role of powerlessness in the relationship between technostressors and proactivity at work

Abstract

In an era marked by relentless technological advancement and its deep integration into workplace processes, technology has evolved into a powerful entity that aids humankind while also bringing unexpected stress. An important question in this context is how technostressors impact employees’ sense of power and work behavior. Drawing on the approach–inhibition theory of power and mindset theory, this article investigates the impacts of technostressors on employees’ sense of powerlessness and proactivity and explores a boundary condition in this process by focusing on techno growth mindset regarding technology. A multi-wave survey study (N = 351), an experimental study (N = 248), and a qualitive study (N = 21) revealed that technostressors led to sense of powerlessness which, in turn, diminished proactive behavior and aggravated inaction among the employees. However, the negative impacts of technostressors were mitigated among the employees who possessed techno growth mindset. These findings provide new insights into employees’ behavioral responses (proactive behavior or inaction) to technostressors from the perspective of the sense of power and add to the research on human–technology interaction. The findings also have practical implications for organizations seeking to bolster employees’ proactivity amidst technological tumult.