Detached effects of doom scrolling on Generation Z employee performance in the Indian information technology sector

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examines the relationship between doom-scrolling and employee performance among Generation Z working in the information technology (IT) sector in India. Design/methodology/approach The study followed a quantitative research approach with a descriptive research design. A purposive sampling technique is used in the study. A sample of 393 Generation Z employees of the IT at the locations in and around the Chandigarh region of northern India was considered in the study. The data were collected primarily through a survey questionnaire and analyzed through structural equation modeling. Findings The findings of the study reveal the significant impact of doom-scrolling on employee performance among the Gen Z of the IT sector in India. Research limitations/implications The present study has measured the direct impact of doom scrolling on employee performance. However, the possibilities of other factors such as work stress and work-life balance as mediators cannot be ruled out for an indirect relationship between doom scrolling and employee performance. Practical implications The findings of the study state that doom scrolling has a significant impact on the employee performance of Gen Z employees in the IT sector of India. Such findings will be an insight into the other service sector of India such as health care and hospitality in recognizing the pattern of behavior followed by Gen Z employees toward social media, technology and job performance. Social implications The findings will be imperative to Gen Z and other segments of the population of society also in understanding the role of addiction to social media and technology can be disruptive. Originality/value The study is useful in understanding the role of addiction to social media and technology can be disruptive. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first of its kind to understand how doom scrolling significantly affects employee performances in the IT sector of India.