Behind Videoconferencing Fatigue at Work

Authors

Olga Abramova, Universität PotsdamFollow
Margarita Gladkaya, University of Potsdam

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

A remarkable peculiarity of videoconferencing (VC) applications – the self-view – a.k.a. digital mirror, is examined as a potential reason behind the voiced exhaustion among users. This work draws on technostress research and objective self-awareness theory and proposes the communication role (sender vs. receiver) as an interaction variable. We report the results of two studies among European employees (n1 = 176, n2 = 253) with a one-year time lag. A higher frequency of self-view in a VC when receiving a message, i.e., listening to others, indirectly increases negative affect (study 1 & 2) and exhaustion (study 2) via the increased state of public self-awareness. Self-viewing in the role of message sender, e.g., as an online presenter, also increases public self-awareness, but its overall effects are less harmful. As for individual differences, users predisposed to public self-consciousness were more concerned with how other VC participants perceived them. Gender effects were insignificant.

Recommended Citation

Abramova, Olga and Gladkaya, Margarita (2025) "Behind Videoconferencing Fatigue at Work," Business & Information Systems Engineering: Vol. 67: Iss. 2, 227-245.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/bise/vol67/iss2/6