Supervisor Monitoring in the Digital Workplace: Implications for Employee Proactive Behavior

• In Event: Organizations, Occupations, and Work Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 4: Technology Use at Work

Abstract

With the rapid expansion of digital tools, human resource managers are increasingly using these tools to monitor employees' work progress. On one hand, this approach is more convenient and efficient than traditional supervisory methods, fostering proactive employee behavior. However, these invasive monitoring methods can also lead to unintended negative outcomes, such as reducing proactive behavior.This study integrates Self-Determination Theory and Goal Orientation Theory to systematically reveal how and when supervisor digital monitoring through digital tools promotes or inhibits employees' proactive behavior.Through a survey, we obtained evidence supporting the theoretical model. Specifically, the study found that both digital observational and interactive supervision of employees via digital tools increase psychological withdrawal and role breadth self-efficacy through controlled and autonomous motivation, which in turn can either suppress or promote employees' proactive behavior. Performance goal orientation can mitigate the negative effects of these supervisory methods.This research not only expands the theoretical boundaries of supervisor monitoring but also provides practical guidance for how businesses can effectively utilize digital tools in the digital age.

Authors

• Weihang Hu, Harbin Institute of Technology

• Li Zhang

• Xinglan Yang