The Double-Edged Nature of Technostress on Work Performance: A Research Model and Research Agenda

This research agenda is the first step toward the adaptation of transactional theory of stress (TTS) into the technostress context, which aims to fill the research gaps in the technostress literature. A research model is developed based on TTS. In the model, we assume technostress to be neutral, and its effects on a person’s workplace outcomes depend on the appraisal on technostress. The positive appraisal on technostress, that is, technostress challenge appraisal will generally lead to positive outcomes, whereas the negative appraisal on technostress, that is, technostress threat appraisal will generally lead to negative outcomes. Although technostress is neutral in a holistic perspective, different types of technostress would be appraised differently. Therefore, the model also predicts how different types of technostress would be appraised. A three-phase agenda is proposed to validate the model. At the end, we highlight the theoretical and practical implications, as well as opportunities for future studies.