Against the backdrop of current debates about new ways of working and technologically induced stress, we acknowledge the ambivalent effects of information and communication technology on employees: On the one hand, the technology increases employees’ flexibility and autonomy, on the other hand, employees face expectations of extensive availability and fast responsiveness. Therefore, we identify portfolios of strategies for coping with the demands of the digital workplace. We link those portfolios to the employees’ strain levels. Our goal is to identify the most successful strategies and portfolios for reducing strain and performing at a high level (=sustainable high performance). We derive implications for human resources development at an individual and organizational level.

Method

We study high performing IT sales consultants of a global operating IT services company. We use focus groups, interviews, physiological measurements (24h heart rate variability

Related Publications

• Mattern, J. (2021). Extensive Use of Work-Related Mobile Information and Communication Technology — Conceptualizing Extensive Connectivity to Work and Coping Strategies. Dissertation at the Universität Münster.
• Mattern, J., Tarafdar, M., & Klein, S. (2019). Thriving in a Demanding Environment — Coping Strategies of IT Professionals. In Proceedings of the Pre-ICIS 2019, International Workshop on The Changing Nature of Work, München, Deutschland.
• Mattern, J., & Klein, S. (2018). Ensuring Sustainable High Performance in the Digital Workplace. In Proceedings of the Pre-ICIS 2018, International Workshop on The Changing Nature of Work, San Francisco.
• Schellhammer, S., Klein, S., & Ebner, E. (2017). Primary prevention for employees in the information age organization. Health Policy and Technology, 6(1), 231–251.

• Schellhammer, S., & Klein, S. (2016). Benefits and Perils of Virtual Modes of Organizing — A Call for Practical Wisdom. In Dalal, N., Intezari, A., & Heitz, M. (Eds.), Practical Wisdom in the Age of Technology: Insights, issues, and questions for a new millennium (pp. 51–64). The Practical Wisdom in Leadership and Organization Series. London: Routledge.