Persistent Work-related Technology Use, Recovery and Well-being Processes : Focus on Supplemental Work After Hours

The aim of this work is to provide insight into the process of employee recovery and well-being in regard to work-related ICT use during after-hours. Therefore, we discuss (1) theories that help us to understand the determinants and outcomes of this behavior, (2) our core concepts recovery and well-being, and (3) previous empirical findings on ICT use after hours for work purposes. On the basis of literature review, we propose a new conceptual overall framework of ICT use after hours for work purposes with the focus on employee recovery and well-being processes. Thereby, we posit ICT use after hours for work purposes as potential stressor, resource, or demand (see action theory by Hacker, 1998, 2003; Frese and Zapf 1994), depending on many personal and environmental factors, but primarily on cognitive appraisals (see transactional model of stress by Lazarus and Folkman 1984). This three-way division enables us to propose various linear and non-linear associations to focused outcomes. We conclude with an overall discussion on further research concerning the identified research gaps.