Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/31311
Title: The impact of technology: how features, resources and task demands shape digital well-being
Authors: Canhoto, A
Manika, D
Wainwright, E
Holder, D-M
Keywords: digital technology;digital wellbeing;social value;e-government;marginalised communities;conservation of resources theory;involvement theory
Issue Date: 4-Jun-2025
Publisher: Emerald
Citation: Canhoto, A. et al. (2025) 'The impact of technology: how features, resources and task demands shape digital well-being', Information Technology and People, 0 (ahead of print), pp. 1 - 24. doi: 10.1108/ITP-01-2024-0077.
Abstract: Purpose: Despite growing awareness that digital technology has both positive and negative implications, the role of specific features in shaping users’ overall well-being remains inadequately understood. We aim to investigate the relationship between technology features, type of task, users’ resources and well-being, to address conflicting empirical evidence in the extant literature. Design/methodology/approach: We draw on the Conservation of Resources theory and Involvement theory to analyse user experiences with the digital platforms of a local authority in England. We use an explanatory case-study, nested in a critical realist perspective, and draw on observations, document analysis and interviews with two stakeholder groups. Findings: We find that digital well-being is a situated condition shaped by users’ goals, resources and experiences. This explains why the same technology feature – e.g. self-service – supports well-being in low-involvement tasks but not in high-involvement ones. We also show that the hedonic and functional aspects of technology are interdependent in the production of digital well-being and describe how the alignment between resources’ affordances and the users’ specific needs and goals shape well-being. Originality/value: We address the conflicting evidence regarding the impact of digital technology on well-being, in the extant literature. This will support future researchers to critically analyse under what conditions technology will benefit vs harm individual well-being and society. It also highlights the importance of designing digital platforms that are aligned with the level of user involvement, to create digital solutions that promote user well-being and foster an inclusive society.
URI: https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/31311
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-01-2024-0077
ISSN: 0959-3845
Other Identifiers: ORCiD: Ana Canhoto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1623-611X
ORCiD: Danae Manika https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6331-1979
ORCiD: Emma Wainwright https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6490-7160
Appears in Collections:Brunel Business School Research Papers
Dept of Education Research Papers

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