Perceived effects of teleworking on adaptive performance: a moderated mediation model of leadership effectiveness and negative affect
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 23 February 2024
Issue publication date: 11 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, this study aims to explore how individuals’ perceptions of telework effects associate with their adaptive performance by shaping their negative emotional experiences, with perceived leadership effectiveness acting as a critical moderator in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional design was used, with data collected from a final sample of 209 teleworkers via an online survey.
Findings
The results demonstrated a significant indirect effect of the perceived effects of teleworking on adaptive performance through negative affect. Furthermore, leadership effectiveness moderated the indirect effect, in a way that the indirect effect was only significant for those who had ineffective leaders and moderate effective leaders; therefore, the indirect effect was strengthened for those who had less effective leaders (versus effective leaders).
Originality/value
This study examines the positive link between teleworking perceptions and adaptive performance through the reduction of negative affect, in line with the conservation of resources theory. Moreover, a reduction in negative emotions among employees during telework is associated with enhanced performance. Notably, the study reveals that leadership effectiveness moderates this connection as playing a crucial role in moderating these effects, particularly when leaders are perceived as less effective, offering insights for organizations considering telework strategies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Statements and declarations: All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Burcu Taşkan, Ana Junça-Silva and António Caetano. The first draft of the manuscript was written by all authors, and they commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. The preparation of this article was supported in part by grants from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UIDB/03125/2020), and CIS Iscte, Doctoral Program in Psychology.
Ana Junça-Silva is no longer affiliated with Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, CeBER Tomar, Portugal.
Citation
Taşkan, B., Junça-Silva, A. and Caetano, A. (2024), "Perceived effects of teleworking on adaptive performance: a moderated mediation model of leadership effectiveness and negative affect", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 32 No. 10, pp. 2321-2338. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-06-2023-3787
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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