Abstract
This article examines the consequences of implementing an automation
technology (i.e., Robotic Process Automation; RPA) for work characteristics and
employee well-being. Based on the job demands-resources framework we examined to what extent the utilization of RPA was related to job resources (i.e., autonomy and task variety) and a job demand (i.e., information processing), and to what extent these work characteristics were related to work engagement and exhaustion. Data were collected among 420 employees working for a Dutch ministry where RPA was recently introduced. Structural equation modeling revealed that RPA use was negatively related to both autonomy and task variety, which formed a threat to employee work engagement. Contrary to our expectations, RPA use was unrelated to information processing and subsequent exhaustion. These findings put emphasis on the importance of designing new technologies with sufficient job resources to create and maintain a healthy and motivated workforce during and after implementing workplace automation.
technology (i.e., Robotic Process Automation; RPA) for work characteristics and
employee well-being. Based on the job demands-resources framework we examined to what extent the utilization of RPA was related to job resources (i.e., autonomy and task variety) and a job demand (i.e., information processing), and to what extent these work characteristics were related to work engagement and exhaustion. Data were collected among 420 employees working for a Dutch ministry where RPA was recently introduced. Structural equation modeling revealed that RPA use was negatively related to both autonomy and task variety, which formed a threat to employee work engagement. Contrary to our expectations, RPA use was unrelated to information processing and subsequent exhaustion. These findings put emphasis on the importance of designing new technologies with sufficient job resources to create and maintain a healthy and motivated workforce during and after implementing workplace automation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Digital Transformation |
| Subtitle of host publication | Towards New Frontiers and Business Opportunities |
| Editors | Antonella Petrillo, Fabio De Felice, Monica Violeta Achim, Nawazish Mirza |
| Publisher | IntechOpen |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-80355-764-9 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-80355-762-5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Oct 2022 |