Role overload, knowledge acquisition and job satisfaction: an ambidexterity perspective on boundary-spanning activities of IT employees

Wang, G., Liu, X. and Liu, Y. (2019) Role overload, knowledge acquisition and job satisfaction: an ambidexterity perspective on boundary-spanning activities of IT employees. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 30 (4). pp. 728-757. ISSN 1466-4399 doi: 10.1080/09585192.2018.1494027

Abstract/Summary

Building upon the ambidexterity perspective, this study conceptualizes boundary-spanning activities as both transactional and learning to illuminate their different effects on IT employees’ job satisfaction. Specifically, we offer an overarching theoretical framework rooted in ambidexterity by connecting the role theory and knowledge acquisition perspective to reconcile the inconsistency of extant findings. Role overload has a mediating effect on the relationship between boundary-spanning activities (both transactional and learning) and job satisfaction, whereas knowledge acquisition mediates the relationship between learning boundary-spanning activities and job satisfaction. Furthermore, high achievement motivation and learning goal orientation moderate the positive effect of learning boundary-spanning activities on job satisfaction. The quantitative analysis of IT employees in Chinese state-owned enterprises largely supports our hypotheses. We conclude this paper by discussing theoretical and managerial implications for ambidexterity, boundary spanning, and job satisfaction.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/81628
Identification Number/DOI	10.1080/09585192.2018.1494027
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Henley Business School > Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Publisher	Routledge
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