BURDEN OR BREAKTHROUGH? DIGITAL WORKLOAD, PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT, AND INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOR AMONG GENERATION Z

Abstract

Digitization leads to an increased workload, while its impact on the innovation process of workers has not been identified yet. This study aims at investigating the impact of digital workload on innovative work behavior (IWB), as well as moderating role of perceived organizational support (POS) among Generation Z workers in technology service companies. The Job Demands-Resources model and organizational support theory, quantitative analysis was conducted using PLS-SEM among 155 employees, and the results show that digital workload does not have a significant impact on IWB, while POS positively affects IWB. Moreover, POS significantly moderates the link between digital workload and IWB. The interaction takes place by following the crossover pattern: digital workload negatively impacts IWB when POS is low but positively influences IWB when POS is high. The results suggest that digital demands influence innovation depending on the organizational resources that employees have access to. Companies need to focus more on providing attention, recognition, and organizational resources in order to use digital demands for innovative purposes.