조직 내 스마트 기기 활용이 과연 삶의 질을 높이는가?: 테크노스트레스 조절효과와 업무-가정생활간의 균형 매개효과를 중심으로

While several conceptual frameworks have been presented to examine the effect of usingsmart device in the smart work context, there has been little empirical work in boundary linesof an individual's work and home balance areas. By attempting to enhance an individual's workand home balance, in this study, we examine the relationship between work-home balance andquality of life among individuals who use smart devices for their own business in smart workcontext. Drawing on the theoretical views on foundations for work-life balance and technostress, thisstudy develops and tests a research model of an individual's quality of life by mediatingwork-home balance in smart work settings. Our research model posits that certain drivers suchas role ambiguity and work-home conflict negatively affect an individual's work-home balancewhich, in turn, influences quality of life. Furthermore, this study also examines the moderatingeffects of burnout and rust-out from generating technostress by using smart devices in therelationship between work-home balance and quality of life. Survey data collected from 235 users who have experiences on using smart devices such assmartphones and tablet PCs was used to test the model using both PLS (partial least squares)and mediated regression techniques. In particular, in order to drill down deeper on the mediationimplied by the PLS analysis, we conducted a regression analysis following the Baron and Kenny(1986)'s approach, which has been widely used to test for mediation. Using two different analytical approaches, we obtained a consistent pattern of results providingstrong empirical support that: (1) the influence of role ambiguity on quality of life is fullymediated by work-home balance, (2) the effect of work-home conflict on quality of life is partiallymediated by work-home balance. More specifically, role ambiguity and work-home conflict werefound to have significant impacts on quality of life that were either partially or fully mediatedby work-home balance. We also found that both burnout and rust-out moderate the relationshipbetween work-home balance and quality of life such that an individual's burnout and rust-outare more increased, the relationship becomes even more negative. The chief research contribution of this study is that it develops and tests a theoreticallygrounded model of quality of life by adopting several theoretical views on work-life balance andtechnostress, this is the first study that provides empirical evidence that two major antecedentsof affecting work-home balance such as role ambiguity and work-home conflict have both directand indirect effects on quality of life. The study also demonstrates, consistent with findingsfrom technostress literatures, both burnout and rust-out plays an important moderating role byweakening the relationship between work-home balance and quality of life. In addition, our empirical findings provides a simple and powerful means that can help toovercome some blurs between work and home life. Especially, it is important for firms whichinitiated smart work programs to understand the factors that demote individuals' work-homebalance. Role ambiguity and work-home conflict appear to be particular important determinantsof decreasing work-home balance which, in turn, negatively influence the quality of life. Our study here represent promising new avenues for research into individuals' behavior insmart work contest, and we invite others to test and extend the model of quality of life bymediating work-home balance so as to further improve our understanding of this important phenomenon.