The dualistic view of challenge-hindrance technostress in accounting information systems: Technological antecedents and coping responses

Owing to the pervasive use of accounting information systems (AIS), financial workers are experiencing increased levels of technostress. While technostress has been conceptualized as overwhelmingly harmful in the IS literature, the challenge–hindrance stressor model suggests that employees can also experience “good stress”. This study instantiates the challenge–hindrance stressor model and coping theory in the AIS context using a two-step mixed-method approach. A qualitative study was first conducted to conceptualize the AIS characteristics associated with technostress appraisals. This study then builds a research model that posits perceived challenge and hindrance technostressors and coping responses as key mechanisms linking AIS characteristics and job burnout. The model was tested by collecting longitudinal data from 285 accountants. The results revealed that several AIS characteristics are associated with technostressor appraisals, and such appraisals lead to proactive and reactive coping responses, which further influence job burnout. The theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.