@article{romanova2026strategic,
  title = {Strategic ICT Importance and Employee Workload: The Mediating Role of Digitalization and Virtualization},
  author = {Anita ROMANOVA and Robert HANAK and Benita BELANOVA},
  year = 2026,
  url = {https://ibimapublishing.com/articles/IBIMABR/2026/134429/},
  journal = {IBIMA Business Review},
  volume = 2026,
  pages = 9,
  doi = doi.org/10.5171/2026.134429,
  abstract = {This study examines whether the strategic importance assigned to information and communication technology (ICT) is associated with selected work-related outcomes through the implementation of specific digital technologies. Although prior research has linked digital technologies to work intensity and workload, less attention has been paid to the mediating role of distinct implementation domains, particularly digitalization, virtualization, and augmented reality. Using quantitative survey data collected electronically from 286 companies in Slovakia, the study tested mediation models in which the strategic importance of ICT was specified as the predictor, and four dependent variables were examined: work intensity/workload, autonomy at work, degree of supervision/control, and work–life balance. Three mediators were analyzed: implementation of digitalization, implementation of virtualization, and implementation of augmented reality. Altogether, 12 mediation models were tested. The results indicate that the strategic importance of ICT is positively associated with the implementation of digitalization, virtualization, and augmented reality. However, statistically significant partial mediation was confirmed only in the models where work intensity/workload served as the dependent variable. More specifically, digitalization and virtualization partially mediated the relationship between ICT importance and workload. The indirect effect through digitalization accounted for 29.19% of the total effect, while the indirect effect through virtualization accounted for 21.60%. No statistically significant mediation effect was observed for augmented reality. Overall, the findings suggest that organizations assigning greater strategic importance to ICT are more likely to implement digital and virtual technologies, which may be associated with higher work intensity.},
  keywords = {Importance of information and communication technology (ICT), Implementation of digitalization/virtualization, employee work intensity/work load},
  note = Article ID: 134429
}