Date
9-25-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Wendy Anson
Keywords
Remote work, e-working experience, autonomy, information technology professionals, self-determination theory
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Hunt, Sherry, "Exploring the Relationship Between Perceived E-working Experience and Autonomy in IT Professionals" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7515.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7515
Abstract
As remote work reshapes the professional landscape, understanding how e-working conditions influence the need for autonomy, a core component of motivation and well-being, is increasingly important. This quantitative, correlational study explored the relationship between perceived e-working experience and the psychological need for autonomy among 120 U.S.-based information technology (IT) professionals. Participants completed an online survey comprised of the E-Work Life (EWL) Scale (Charalampous et al., 2023; Grant et al., 2019) and two autonomy subscales from the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Work Scale (BPNSFWS) (Olafsen et al., 2021). Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) (Ryan & Deci, 2000, 2017, 2020) and job characteristics theory (JCT) (Hackman & Oldham, 1976), the study examined how overall e-working experience and four key dimensions—productivity, organizational trust, flexibility, and work-life interference—related to autonomy. Results showed a significant positive correlation between overall e-working experience and autonomy (r = .62, p < .01), with each dimension also showing positive correlations: productivity (r = .47), trust (r = .56), flexibility (r = .55), and work-life interference (r = .47). Regression analysis identified trust (β = .34, p < .001) as the strongest predictor of autonomy, followed by flexibility (β = .24, p = .005) and work-life interference (β = .19, p = .030); productivity was not significant (β = .06, p = .482). These findings contribute to research on psychological need fulfillment in virtual settings and offer insight into designing autonomy-supportive remote environments that may enhance retention and satisfaction among IT professionals.
