A Conceptual Model for IT Work Autonomy

Autonomy is considered an important predecessor of job-related outcomes such as job satisfaction, job motivation, and work-life-balance. Although widely used in information systems (IS) research, most studies ignore its multi-dimensional nature and technology-related facets related to autonomy. This study contributes to existing literature by proposing IT work autonomy as a rich conceptualization that includes three existing dimensions of autonomy (work method autonomy, work scheduling autonomy, and work criteria autonomy) and a new technology-related dimension (i.e., work instrument autonomy). A conceptual model is proposed and discussed. For IS theory, conceptualizing IT work autonomy promises to enlighten future research that seeks to explore work-related phenomena. Moreover, this new conceptualization has the potential to guide organizations in designing future jobs.