Digital Employee Experience (DEX) and Employee Innovative Behavior: A Human–Computer Interaction Perspective

Digital technologies increasingly shape employees’ work experiences, yet excessive or poorly designed interactions may undermine innovation. From a human–computer interaction (HCI) and user experience perspective, this study examines how Digital Employee Experience (DEX) technical empowerment, autonomy, and skill development—affects their innovation behaviors in organizational contexts. Reflected in technical empowerment, autonomy, and skill development, relates to employee innovative behavior. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources model, Conservation of Resources theory, and Social Information Processing theory, we use experience sampling, system logs, and supervisor ratings from 268 employees across knowledge-intensive, manufacturing, and service sectors over 10 workdays. Hierarchical linear modeling and dynamic structural equation modeling reveal an inverted U-shaped association between DEX and innovation. Cognitive availability and positive affect mediate this relationship, while industry context shifts the optimal DEX threshold. The findings suggest that human-centered digital systems should balance empowerment and usability with employees’ cognitive and emotional resources. Given the observational design, the findings are interpreted as associational rather than causal.