Understanding the Nexus Between Techno-Stress, Psychological Well-Being, and the Moderating Role of Job Resources in the Gig Economy

This study investigates the impact of technology-driven platforms on gig workers in the evolving gig economy, emphasising the challenges of technostress and its potential consequences for overall well-being. Applying Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory to comprehensively examine job resources such as job autonomy, job flexibility, and feedback, this research utilises structural equation modelling with SmartPLS 4 to explore the intricate relationships between technostress and well-being. The data has been collected through a survey of 340 Uber drivers in India. Our findings reveal that job flexibility and feedback significantly correlate with psychological well-being (WB), while job autonomy has no significant association. Additionally, the study identified a pronounced negative impact of hindrance techno-stressors (HTS) on psychological well-being (WB). Further investigation of the moderating effects of job resources indicates that feedback and job autonomy do not markedly alter the impact of HTS on WB. However, job flexibility plays a pivotal moderating role. Reduced job flexibility intensifies the adverse association between HTS and WB, highlighting the importance of organisational strategies to enhance flexibility to address technostress and well-being challenges. Overall, these findings contribute to a profound understanding of the factors that foster a harmonious balance between technological demands and the holistic well-being of gig workers, offering valuable insights for scholars and practitioners in HRM, work psychology, and the gig economy.