Abstract
Twenty-first century workplaces have changed considerably, not least through technological developments which enable employees to engage in voluntary information and communication technology (ICT) use for work-related purposes during non-work time without contractual obligation. The overall aim of this thesis was to examine the concept of voluntary ICT use, its antecedents and consequences for employee recovery and well-being in order to develop an evidence-based conceptual model as a theoretical basis to advance future research in this area. One systematic review and three empirical studies were conducted. In the systematic review, literature on voluntary ICT use (i.e., 73 studies) was systematically identified and synthesised in order to establish the existing evidence base. This resulted in an operational definition and conceptual model of voluntary ICT use which provided a framework for the subsequent empirical studies. In Study 1, a two-part cross-sectional questionnaire study, antecedents of voluntary ICT use at the social-normative organisational level (Study 1a, N = 157) and at the individual level (Study 1b, N = 165) were examined. Study 1 identified the supervisor’s availability expectations and colleagues’ ICT use during non-work time as the most influential antecedents at the social-normative organisational level, and lack of psychological detachment at the individual level. In both parts, autonomous ICT use motivation explained a considerable amount of variance in voluntary ICT use. In Study 2, a daily diary study over five consecutive workdays (nbetween = 197, nwithin = 823), voluntary ICT use during workday evenings was found to negatively affect recovery and affective well-being reported at bedtime by impeding psychological detachment; these indirect effects were also observed regarding well-being the following morning, but were less pronounced. Study 3 comprised an experimental field study which evaluated the effectiveness of a three-week intervention that encourages an active boundary management in relation to voluntary ICT use. It was found that participants reported a short-term reduction in voluntary ICT use at the weekend, as well as delayed increases in ICT-related self-control and decreases in need for recovery in comparison to a waitlist control group (T2; N = 55). In summary, this thesis contributes to the establishment of voluntary ICT use as a concept and to existing theories of boundary management and work-related recovery by highlighting their interrelations with voluntary ICT use. Drawing on the findings from the empirical studies, evidence-based, practical guidance is provided, encouraging a more conscious, purposeful management of voluntary ICT use. Directions for future research are suggested in relation to the extension of the conceptual model, the added value of person-centred research and the practical implementation of lessons learnt in a holistic way, aiming to progress in informing policy-makers, employers and employees effectively.