Work mindfulness, technostress and change readiness among fintech employees in Nigeria

Employee adaptability is a critical concern in technology-driven organizations, particularly in the fintech sector, where rapid digital innovation continuously reshapes work processes. Grounded in the integrated frameworks of the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, Conservation of Resources Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study examined the moderating role of work mindfulness in the relationship between technostress and change readiness among fintech employees in Nigeria. A two-wave time-lagged design was employed, with data collected from 303 fintech employees across Southeast Nigeria using self-reported measures of technostress, work mindfulness, and change readiness. Data were analyzed using Hayes PROCESS macro, Model 1. Results indicated that technostress and the acting with awareness facet of mindfulness positively predicted change readiness, whereas describing, non-reactivity, and non-judging facets showed no significant direct effects. However, describing and acting with awareness significantly moderated the technostress–change readiness relationship, suggesting mindful employees are better equipped to navigate technological transitions. These findings extend technostress research beyond traditionally examined outcomes—such as burnout and turnover intention—to encompass change readiness, a construct of growing relevance in digitally volatile environments. By introducing work mindfulness as a boundary condition, the study advances facet-level understanding of which mindfulness dimensions meaningfully reduce technology-induced strain and inform mindfulness-based interventions within fintech change management programmes. By linking workforce psychological resources to the human capital foundations of digital transformation, the study contributes to Sustainable Development Goals, offering evidence-based guidance for building psychologically sustainable, technology-resilient workforces within Africa’s rapidly digitalizing financial infrastructure.