Gender Differences in Gender Differences in E-mail Use, Work Performance and E-mail Use, Work Performance and

StressStress

Rita S. ManoRita S. ManoDepartment of Human Services Department of Human Services ritamano@research.haifa.ac.ilritamano@research.haifa.ac.il

Research questions Research questions which e-mail features affect work which e-mail features affect work

performance; performance; How these features generate positive How these features generate positive

(work effectiveness) and negative (stress (work effectiveness) and negative (stress and distress) effects; and distress) effects;

How employee characteristics are How employee characteristics are associated with “positive” performance- associated with “positive” performance- and “negative” –stress- aspects of work .and “negative” –stress- aspects of work .

Theories Theories Two distinct but overlapping perspectives: Two distinct but overlapping perspectives: The "technological" approach focuses on what the The "technological" approach focuses on what the

new technologies can offer to promote new technologies can offer to promote organizational practices (Boisot, 1998)organizational practices (Boisot, 1998)

the “human focus” or “socio-technical” (McGregor, the “human focus” or “socio-technical” (McGregor, 1960; Olson & Lucas 1982) approach emphasizing 1960; Olson & Lucas 1982) approach emphasizing the social aspect, claiming that information is the social aspect, claiming that information is essentially the property of both individuals and essentially the property of both individuals and groups (Boisot, 1998; Markus, 1994a). groups (Boisot, 1998; Markus, 1994a).

Research rationaleResearch rationaleE-mail’s inherent propertiesE-mail’s inherent properties low cost, speed of communication, ease of use, low cost, speed of communication, ease of use,

technical technical

Recent research: Recent research: doubts the appropriateness and effectiveness of doubts the appropriateness and effectiveness of

electronic messages, electronic messages, raises questions in regard to the impact of raises questions in regard to the impact of

information management on employees’ information management on employees’ wellbeing (Sproull & Kiesler, 1991; Hogg, 2000; wellbeing (Sproull & Kiesler, 1991; Hogg, 2000; Ingham, 2003).Ingham, 2003).

Combining three aspects Combining three aspects Women and technology Women and technology Management and women Management and women Communication and management Communication and management

Variables Variables E-mail features: E-mail features: (a) extent –number of people you have regular exchange of mail (a) extent –number of people you have regular exchange of mail

with- with- (b) intensity - frequency of checking mail before and after work (b) intensity - frequency of checking mail before and after work

-, -, (c) content - proportion of work-related e-mails sent daily - and (c) content - proportion of work-related e-mails sent daily - and (d) increase - the proportion of work-related e-mail recently sent (d) increase - the proportion of work-related e-mail recently sent

and received – and received –

Outcomes Outcomes (a) managers’ work effectiveness (a) managers’ work effectiveness (b) managers’ work-related stress(b) managers’ work-related stress

All items examined here are included in the Pew and American All items examined here are included in the Pew and American Life data set (2002).Life data set (2002).

RESULTSRESULTS

e-mail received and sent are positively related to e-mail received and sent are positively related to work performance work performance

e-mail communication exerts a positive effect on e-mail communication exerts a positive effect on work stress work stress

extensive mail, while providing essential extensive mail, while providing essential information, creates information overload.information, creates information overload.

Only one out of four email features –extent- Only one out of four email features –extent- causes stress to male managers whereas for causes stress to male managers whereas for women managers both extent and intensity of women managers both extent and intensity of checking email raises stress levels. checking email raises stress levels.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

Email: Email: has a significant effect on both men and women has a significant effect on both men and women

managers work quality managers work quality increases the potential for higher work increases the potential for higher work

performance for both men and women managers performance for both men and women managers adds a “dysfunctional” effect –stress- that should adds a “dysfunctional” effect –stress- that should

be considered because of the differences in be considered because of the differences in preferred communication style between men and preferred communication style between men and women. women.

CONCLUSIONS (end)CONCLUSIONS (end) The association between gender differences in The association between gender differences in

email usage and work performance and stress may email usage and work performance and stress may emphasize the existence of the “gender divide” in emphasize the existence of the “gender divide” in some “undercover” form in the work place. some “undercover” form in the work place.

This 'undercover' gender divide suggests that This 'undercover' gender divide suggests that women are neither afraid nor are they incapable to women are neither afraid nor are they incapable to successfully use technology based media. successfully use technology based media.

Email does not promote women’s potential to Email does not promote women’s potential to manage effectively and it therefore increases their manage effectively and it therefore increases their stress levels more than those of men.stress levels more than those of men.