Empowerment approach or burden avoidance? How and when leaders’ after-hours electronic communication expectations influence subordinates’ job crafting

In the digital-intelligent era where digital communication management is widely implemented in enterprises, how subordinates appropriately reshape their jobs in response to leaders’ after-hours electronic communication expectations (LAECE) is a critical issue in organizational management. Grounded in cognitive appraisal theory and regulatory focus theory, this study investigates the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which LAECE influences approach-oriented and avoidance-oriented job crafting. Using an experience sampling method, 124 subordinates were tracked over five consecutive days. Data analysis revealed that LAECE positively influences both approach-oriented and avoidance-oriented job crafting. Organization-based self-esteem and work intensification mediate these relationships, respectively. Promotion focus and prevention focus positively moderate the effects of LAECE on organization-based self-esteem and work intensification, respectively, and further strengthen the respective mediating effects. These findings contribute marginally to bridging the theoretical gap in understanding how subordinates cope with LAECE challenges and offer guidance for implementing appropriate job crafting to adapt to digital work contexts.