Technostress, Role Stress, and Academic Productivity at the National University of Costa Rica

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22458/rna.v17i1.6386

Keywords:

Technostress, workload, academic staff, higher education, labor productivity

Abstract

Objective: The study analyzed the relationship between technostress factors, role overload, role conflict, and academic productivity among academic staff at the National University of Costa Rica. Importance of the topic: Intensive digitalization of academic work increased university staff exposure to psychosocial risks associated with technostress. Design and methodology: A quantitative, cross sectional, correlational, and explanatory study was conducted with a sample of 322 academic staff members. Five point scales were used to measure technostress factors, role stress, academic productivity, and intensified academic production during the pandemic. Descriptive analyses, Pearson correlations, general linear models, and multiple regressions were performed. Main findings: The results showed significant associations between technostress factors and role overload and role conflict. The relationship between technostress and academic productivity was significant but weak. Technocomplexity was the only significant negative predictor of productivity. Intensified academic production was positively associated with productivity and showed no direct relationship with technostress. Sex showed significant effects on role overload and intensified academic production. Research implications: The study provided empirical evidence to expand the analysis of technostress in Latin American public higher education. Practical implications: The findings posed challenges for the institutional management of digital workloads, technological competencies, and academic staff well being. Social implications: Institutional attention to technostress may help protect academic staff well being and promote sustainable conditions for university work. Originality and value: The study incorporated intensified academic production as a phenomenon distinct from academic productivity. Conclusions: Technostress was mainly related to role stress and showed a limited influence on academic productivity.

References

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Salas - Ocampo, L. (2026). Technostress, Role Stress, and Academic Productivity at the National University of Costa Rica. National Administration Journal, 17(1), e6386. https://doi.org/10.22458/rna.v17i1.6386