The role of technology paradox in mobile technology usage on the relationship between contextual factors and task performance

• Main Author: M A A Alhadad, Maria E
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: HD Industries. Land use. Labor; T Technology (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/108367/1/MariaEMAAAlhadadPAHIBS2021.pdf.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/108367/; http://dms.library.utm.my:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:154541
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly in the form of smartphones, have introduced a considerable amount of flexibility in the work environment in terms of ‘time and space’. One of the important purposes of using these technologies in the workplace is to enhance employee task performance. Although, the use of ICTs can enhance the quality and ease with which employees communicate and organize work, the implications of ICTs in organizational contexts can also be paradoxical with co-existing positive and even negative aspects. This can trigger tension in employees and affect the behavioral aspects of task performance. This research is focused on examining the mediating role played by technology paradox (TCP) between its contextual factors (CNF) and the employee task performance (TSP). A two-phase explanatory sequential design of the mixed- methods approach is applied. In the first phase, quantitative analysis with a cross- sectional survey employing a sample size of 451 respondent has been done. The respondents were employees whose carrying out tasks using private smartphones in different organizations in Kuwait. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). In the second phase, the quantitative results obtained in the first phase were further explained through the analysis of the qualitative data (i.e in-depth interviews). The in-depth interviews were carried out with five respondents from the earlier set selected based on snowballing sampling. The findings of the research revealed that CNF has a positive relationship with both the TCP and TSP, and the TCP also has a positive relationship with TSP. Further, the TCP has a positive mediating effect between CNF and TSP. The results of this research have provided both theoretical and practical implications. The formation of a positive behavioral influence on the user of technology determines the success of TSP. Also, it suggests managers to provide a context which is congenial to the smartphone usage in the workplace for its most productive use towards TSP.