UNLOCKING DIGITAL STRESS AMONG EMPLOYEES IN SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN SRI SERDANG, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v6si1.935Keywords:
digital stress, inefficient technical support, information overload, SMEs restaurants employees, SelangorAbstract
Digital services have surfaced in various front-of-house and back-of-house operations, including ordering, payment, and administrative processes. In the current digital age, employees in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) restaurants are anticipated to possess knowledge and skills related to digitalisation. Although the implementation of digitalisation in the workplace can enhance the company's performance, it can also lead to digital stress among employees. Therefore, the purposes of this study are (1) to determine the potential factors that contribute to digital stress among employees in SMEs restaurants and (2) to identify the most influential factor. Additionally, this study investigates the extent to which employees experience digital stress. Upon examining the literature, the primary elements influencing digital stress in employees include information overload, inefficient technical support, and the working environment. The study used a quantitative method with a self-administered survey questionnaire. A total of 125 questionnaires were distributed to SME employees in Sri Serdang, Selangor, with 110 returned and usable for analysis. The data was analysed using Version 27 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that the three factors indicated to a score leaning towards agreement among employee with inefficient technical support (Mean=2.79), information overload (Mean=2.86), and working environment (Mean=3.05). The results indicated a significant positive correlation among all variables and employees' digital stress, with values ranging from 0.517 to 0.759. Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis was performed to forecast digital stress levels using the three independent variables. The findings showed that the primary influencing factor was the inefficient technical support, with an R² of 0.629, indicating that 62.9% of the variance in digital stress is explained by these factors. These results suggest that SME restaurant management should identify elements causing digital stress and develop effective strategies to mitigate its impact.
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