Techno-uncertainty and organizational counterproductive work behavior among Generation X employees in a South African state-owned enterprise: the moderating role of gender

The increasing adoption of digital technologies in organizations continues to raise concerns about their impact on employee behavior. Although prior studies have examined technostress as a composite construct, limited attention has been given to how its individual dimensions influence negative workplace behaviors across different demographic groups. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine techno-uncertainty and its effect on organizational counterproductive work behavior (CWB) among Generation X employees, and whether gender moderates this relationship. Quantitative data were collected from 230 full-time Generation X employees working at a South African State-owned Enterprise. The findings revealed a statistically significant positive effect of techno-uncertainty on organizational counterproductive work behavior. Gender moderates the relationship between techno-uncertainty and organizational counterproductive work behavior. The study contributes to the literature on the consequences of technological uncertainty in digitally transforming workplaces, particularly among Generation X employees, while also demonstrating the importance of examining specific technostress dimensions in isolation. The findings provide practical relevance for organizations in terms of designing inclusive, generation and gender-sensitive digital transformation strategies in African workplace contexts.