Work Demands, Resources, and Employee Performance in Remote IT Work

Mediating Role of Work Stress

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how key individual work-related determinants—namely workload, work–life balance, job satisfaction, and social support—affect the productivity of young IT professionals engaged in remote work, with particular attention to the mediating role of work-related stress.

Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research design with a cross-sectional survey method was adopted. Data were collected from 371 respondents using purposive sampling techniques. Both direct and mediating effects among the constructs were examined using structural equation modeling through SmartPLS 4.0.

Findings: The empirical results reveal that workload, work–life balance, and job satisfaction significantly influence employee productivity. Additionally, work stress partially mediates the relationships between these work-related factors and performance outcomes.

Implications: To effectively engage younger professionals, organizations should adopt adaptive work arrangements such as hybrid models, promote employee well-being through structured stress reduction programs, and establish clear frameworks to address burnout, distractions, social isolation, and collaborative challenges inherent in remote work environments.

Originality/value: By synthesizing insights from human resource management and organizational psychology, this study develops an integrated conceptual framework and contributes to the growing body of literature on remote work, particularly focusing on young employees in the IT industry.

Keywords: Employee productivity; information technology; Remote working; Young workforce
JEL Classification: J28, J86, M54