Understanding mobile ICT-induced autonomy paradox through a polynomial regression and response surface analysis

Purpose Mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) empower individuals with more autonomy in the technical aspect. However, such IT-induced autonomy may incur unexpected job demands. This study aims to decode the autonomy paradox of mobile ICTs use. Specifically, the authors identify the dual roles of IT-induced autonomy based on job demands-resources (JD-R) model and investigate the diverse impacts of balance and imbalance between IT-induced autonomy resources and demands on work exhaustion and work performance. Through the lens of technology-organization synergy, the boundary roles of job autonomy are also revealed. Design/methodology/approach With data from 368 employees recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), the proposed hypotheses were examined using polynomial regression combined with response surface analysis. Findings The results showed that when IT-induced autonomy resources and demand are balanced at higher levels, the work performance of individuals is higher. Individuals are more likely to have both high work performance and low work exhaustion when IT-induced autonomy resource exceeds demand. Moreover, high job autonomy was found to be particularly powerful in mitigating work exhaustion when IT-induced autonomy demand exceeds resource. Practical implications This study provides some insights for organization and individuals about how mobile ICTs can be configured wisely for work purposes to maximize their effectiveness and avoid adverse effects. Originality/value The study explores the nonlinear dynamics of IT-induced autonomy resource, demand, job autonomy and psychological/behavioral outcomes, providing novel insights for untangling the autonomy paradox and contributing to IS and cross-domain research.