Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The widespread adoption of enterprise social media (ESM) in hybrid and remote work settings has transformed workplace collaboration by enabling seamless connectivity and real-time interaction. Yet it also requires employees to remain continuously responsive and digitally present. These conditions increase communication overload and blur work-personal boundaries, reflecting the phenomenon of techno-invasion. Such disruptions may heighten psychological strain and diminish well-being. Guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study examines how distinct ESM-induced job demands-communication overload and boundary management stress-are associated with employee exhaustion and well-being. We collected survey data from 200 Korean office workers (mean age = 44.38, range = 27-64; 56% male) using validated self-report scales and analyzed the data using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that intensified ESM use is linked to greater communication overload and boundary management stress, which are also associated with increased exhaustion and reduced well-being. By elucidating how ESM-driven connectivity can undermine employee well-being, this research enriches the technostress literature. Practically, it highlights the need for organizations to implement supportive initiatives that alleviate excessive job demands and foster a sustainable digital work environment that supports employee psychological health.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Da Eun Song, Seongcheol Kim
Institution: Korea University
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7162014624