Digital Communication Tools at Work: Cross-National and Longitudinal European Perspectives on Occupational Well-Being

Abstract

Digital platforms and applications are increasingly used at work. The increase of remote work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated the process of digitalization. Both positive and negative sides of new digital tools have been noted, but a gap currently exists in research on both cross-national and longitudinal studies on the phenomenon. We hypothesized that the use of digital communication at work is associated with higher well-being at work, but the association is moderated by occupational status and fulfilment of basic psychological needs. Study 1 was based on European Social Survey data from 25 countries (N=24,331). Study 2 surveyed Finnish workers (N=1817) at nine timepoints in 6-month intervals during 2019–2023. Multilevel regression models were used in the analysis of both data. Study 1 showed that digital communication had a positive association with job satisfaction in Europe, but the relationship was moderated by occupational status, with lower position workers benefiting from the communication. Study 2 associated the use of digital platforms with higher work engagement. Among higher position office workers with supervisor status, increased organizational social media platform use and excessive use of social media was associated with decreased work engagement. Digital communication has benefits for lower position workers, but it is burdensome for those in higher positions, especially when autonomy at work is low. Results suggest that excess digital communication at work is a concern. Digital communication should be considered at workplaces from the work autonomy perspective.

Keywords: subjective well-being, work engagement, internet, Social media, digital communication