Overcoming Technostress in the Workplace

Welcome to the digital age, where technology has become an integral part of our professional lives. As business professionals, we may find ourselves struggling with technostress, the negative impact of technology on our wellbeing and productivity. In this research, a field experiment was conducted, in which business professionals have tested different coping strategies in order to reduce technostress and improve their productivity in the workplace.

Topic
The increasing usage of information and communication technologies (ICT) in our personal and professional lives has significantly impacted the way we work. Even though these technological advancements offer numerous benefits, such as enhanced flexibility, efficiency, and productivity, they also have potential downsides. One of the notable negative effects is technostress referring to the unability to cope with these technological changes in a healthy manner. This research examines with ten business professionals in a real-world telco organization, the main techno stressors and identifies coping strategies, which can be applied by individuals in order to reduce technostress in their work environment.

Relevance
Despite numerous studies and practical knowledge on digital minimalism, deep work and other coping strategies, the real-world application of them remains tricky. However, this master thesis unravels the reasons behind professionals' struggle to adopt effective coping strategies and reduce technostress within their organizations. Therefore, the results of the study provide practical recommendations and strategies for reducing technostress, enhancing productivity and fostering wellbeing. Conclusively, a tailored coping guide was developed which empowers business professionals to implement effective coping strategies and pave the way for a healthier relationship with technology in a more productive work environment.

Results
The study highlights the importance of recognizing the environmental circumstances within organizations that lead to technostress, specifically the pressure of being always available and the resulting communication overload over various digital channels.

Coping strategies such as check-ins, deep work, and digital noise reduction were found to be effective in reducing technostress. However, unclear communication from leadership, misprioritization of incoming tasks, and the fear of missing out on information can complicate the implementation process of effective coping strategies. Nevertheless, self-awareness and proactivity in implementing coping strategies are precious sources for taking control and conquering technostress for a more balanced future.

Implications for Practitioners

• Business professionals must identify specific circumstances within their organizations that contribute to technostress. By acknowledging these factors, individuals and organizations can implement targeted strategies to address technostress among employees.
• Proven coping strategies including check-ins, deep work and digital noise reduction are essential in order to foster a healthier relationship with technology and enhance overall wellbeing.
• A supportive culture is crucial. Therefore, practitioners should focus on clear communication, effective planning and reflection on job roles.

Methods
This research study employed a comprehensive mixed-method approach. It encompassed various steps to provide practical insights and recommendations such as focus groups, a field experiment and qualitative interviews.
The researcher has led a Think Tank (focus group) in which business professionals shared their challenges and experiences related to technostress in the workplace. Based on the feedback and research, a tailored coping guide was developed with various coping strategies which has been tested by ten business professionals in a real-world telco corporation. In order to understand the experience, challenges and resources when implementing coping strategies, the researcher has conducted qualitative in-depth interviews.