Boundary control and controlled boundaries: Organizational expectations for technology use at the work-family interface

Some studies have argued that information and communication technologies such as smartphones can pressure employees to work more from home, while others argue that they help employees manage transitions between work and family role domains. Leveraging boundary theory and the job demands–resources model, the present study examines the conditions under which work–family technology use is associated with greater boundary control. Findings show that technology use is associated with higher boundary control for those who prefer role integration and lower boundary control for those who prefer role segmentation. Findings also show that boundary control is linked to emotional exhaustion and that organizational after-hours electronic communication expectations can compel work–family technology use despite individual preferences. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.