Stoner

Business Horizons (2009) 52, 67—78

www.elsevier.com/locate/bushor

Connectivity and work dominance:

Panacea or pariah?

Charles R. Stoner *, Paul Stephens, Matthew K. McGowan

Foster College of Business Administration, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, U.S.A.

KEYWORDS

Work/life balance;

Work-connecting

technologies;

Work domination;

Young managers and

professionals;

Impact of technology

Abstract Does technologically-supported work connectivity help young managers

and professionals under the age of 45 deal with the pressing demands of their work, or

does the presence of work-connecting technologies exacerbate the tendencies of this

talent force to engage in more work and longer working hours? Utilizing both surveys

and follow-up focus group interactions, this study found that while work-connecting

technologies permitted a greater range of options regarding when and where work

was done, this same connectivity provided constant availability to work and often

drove expectations that more must be done, thereby increasing the likelihood of

longer work hours and–—surprisingly–—leading to a diminished sense of flexibility. Study

participants offer insights regarding the thought processes behind these outcomes.

Perspectives on how emerging leaders and their organizations can effectively manage

and achieve the potential of enhanced connectivity are provided. A four-phased

approach is recommended. First, we discuss key cultural dynamics. Second, the role

of organizational expectations and practices is emphasized. Third, we consider a set

of responsibilities for organizational leaders, whose actions and cues provide the most

vivid clarity for young managers attempting to decide where to draw the work/life

balance line. Finally, the challenge and responsibility of personal accountability is

presented. Consideration of a work paradigm that reorients our thinking about

traditional ‘‘face time,’’ and strives to bridge the gap between the...