The Impact Mechanism of After-Hours Electronic Communication Boundary Invasion Perception on Employees' Work Withdrawal Behavior: Based on Boundary Theory and the Cognitive-Affective-Behavioral Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2025.288934Keywords:
After-hours Electronic Communication, Boundary Invasion Perception, Relative Deprivation, Emotional Exhaustion, Self-efficacy, Work Withdrawal BehaviorAbstract
Background and Aims: As digital technology and remote work expand, after-hours electronic communication (AWC) has become common. While AWC improves efficiency, it can invade employees’ psychological and temporal boundaries. Guided by Boundary Theory and the Cognitive-Affective-Behavioral (CAB) Model, this study examines how perceived boundary invasion leads to work withdrawal behavior, with relative deprivation and emotional exhaustion as mediators, and self-efficacy as a moderator.
Method: A survey of 465 university employees in China was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling, mediation, and moderation techniques.
Results: Psychological and temporal boundary invasion significantly increased relative deprivation and emotional exhaustion, which sequentially led to work withdrawal. Self-efficacy weakened these negative effects.
Conclusion: The study extends Boundary Theory and the CAB Model to digital work contexts, suggesting organizations should set clear communication boundaries and build employee self-efficacy to reduce withdrawal behaviors.
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