E-Worker Resilience: A Competency based approach to ameliorate the impact of technology on well-being

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the skills and competencies that help e-workers and organisations better understand the impact of e-working and technology use on well-being, and the positive and negative behaviours that influence their ‘e-resilience’.

Design/Methodology

Data were obtained from 34 semi-structured interviews with e-workers in a range of job roles, within a large international private sector company. Data were analysed thematically and a framework analysis applied to extract the key skills and behaviours associated with e-resilience.

Results

Five key themes emerged: knowledge, skills and abilities; agile working; lifestyle and personal qualities; management styles and organisational actions. Concluding that specific e-worker training, inclusion of competencies into appraisals and reviewing policies aids the development of effective e-workers.

Limitations

Interview data was obtained from a single organisation, potentially restricting the generalisability.

Research/Practical Implications

The preliminary framework emerging from the data highlights differences in the skills and behaviours required for healthy and productive behaviour between office-based staff and e-workers. The framework has strong potential to inform and develop self-regulatory practices and to help organisations provide effective guidance and support to manage issues relevant to the wellbeing of e-workers, such as boundary management and work-life integration when using technology.

Originality/value

This research provides important insights into an under-researched area. Firstly, the need for organisations and managers to benchmark their e-workers capability; and secondly, to identify specific training needs and coaching/counselling opportunities to improve e-worker performance and productivity ameliorating some of the negative effects of technology usage.