Techno-invasion and job satisfaction in China: The roles of boundary preference for segmentation and marital status

BACKGROUND: While the intensive work-related use of information and communication technologies after working hours have led to increased techno-invasion, much less is known regarding whether and for whom techno-invasion influences job satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and person-environment fit theory, this study examined the relationship between techno-invasion and decreased job satisfaction. Specific attention was paid to the moderating effect of boundary preference for segmentation and its joint influence with marital status on this relationship. METHODS: Questionnaire data were collected by an online survey of a nationwide and diverse sample of 472 employees from China. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: We found that techno-invasion negatively correlated with job satisfaction, which was strengthened by boundary preference for segmentation. Furthermore, the results of a three-way interaction effect suggested that the moderating role of boundary preference for segmentation on the relationship between techno-invasion and job satisfaction is stronger for unmarried employees than it is for married ones. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of techno-invasion on employees’ job satisfaction can be strengthened or weakened by their boundary preference for segmentation and marital status.