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Big Brother is Watching:: Electronic Performance Monitoring in the Knowledge-based Sector
Jönköping University, Jönköping International Business School, JIBS, Business Administration.
Jönköping University, Jönköping International Business School, JIBS, Business Administration.
2021 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

In light of the global shift to remote work that was prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic - the relevance and use of Electronic Performance Monitoring (EPM) significantly escalated across all sectors. However, the most recent comprehensive literature review on the topic by Ravid et al. (2020) pointed out significant gaps in how EPM is perceived by knowledge-based employees. In line with those defined gaps, we raised two research questions, regarding what the perceptions of knowledge-based workers are towards the implementation and dissemination of EPM techniques, and whether the workplace context (home/office) has an effect on knowledge-based worker’s perceptions towards it. In this paper, we take a critical approach relying on a theory-based typology of EPM characteristics and build on the organizational control theory by elaborating on the technology-mediated control concept. We follow the constructivist grounded theory approach developed by Charmaz (2008) and the data was collected via 20 semi-structured interviews. The key findings of this research showed similarities as well as differences in how knowledge-based employees perceive EPM in contrast to other types of workforce. While overall the perceptions on EPM are negative, they can to some extent be alleviated by introducing a justifiable purpose, being transparent, allowing control over monitoring, and setting clear limits. Moreover, we provided insights into the perceptions of knowledge-based workers in response to EPM within the context of working from home. In such a context, knowledge-based workers show more resistance to EPM techniques and higher expectations of privacy, transparency, and appropriate data handling. Lastly, the authors provided avenues for further research including cross-cultural perspective, access to data, and ethicality and legality of EPM.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2021. , p. 83
Keywords [en]
Electronic Performance Monitoring, Knowledge-based Workers, Organizational Control, Privacy, Technology-mediated Control, Remote Work, Workplace Surveillance.
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-52770ISRN: JU-IHH-FÖA-2-20211435OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-52770DiVA, id: diva2:1561057
Subject / course
JIBS, Business Administration
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2021-06-30 Created: 2021-06-05 Last updated: 2025-10-13Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
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