| Advances in information and communication technologies have made it increasingly easy for individuals to remain connected to their organizations. Part of this change may be due to the advent of mobile communication technologies such as smart phones (e.g., BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm Treo) that have revolutionized when and where individuals are able to perform their work. Past research concerning the effects of mobile technology in the workplace has been both optimistic and pessimistic, suggesting that mobile technology results in increased autonomy, work functioning, and work-schedule flexibility, while at the same time resulting in negative consequences such as increased work-life conflict, role overload, and an invasion of workers' sense of personal mastery.;The current study presents a model examining the effects of mobile connectivity on work-life outcomes during non-working hours. The present study tests a series of direct, mediating, and moderating models that influence the relationship between mobile connectivity and stress, psychological well-being, job satisfaction, and life satisfaction. Specifically, work-life conflict was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between mobile connectivity and each of the work-life outcome variables, while boundary management strategy, psychological detachment from work, job involvement, and job control were included as moderating variables that influence the strength and direction of the relationship between mobile connectivity and each of the work-life outcomes.;Participants in the study included 311 individuals collected through a web-based survey among users of mobile technologies. Results indicate that mobile connectivity was positively related to stress and work-life conflict, while negatively related to psychological well-being. Furthermore, results from the mediated analyses suggest that work-life conflict acted as a significant mediator between mobile connectivity and stress, psychological well-being, and job satisfaction.;The present study's findings suggest that mobile connectivity is impacting work-life outcomes in more negative than positive ways. Because mobile technologies are changing the ways in which we stay connected to work while during non-working hours, it is important to understand how mobile technology affect outcomes related to an employee's work and non-work lives. Implications for both employees and employers are discussed with particular emphasis on the changing nature of technology. |
