Stress and Safety in Digital Aviation: Ground Employee Experience, Technology Driven Work Environment

Abstract

This study investigates the relationships between digital technology usage, stress, and safety performance among aviation ground employees in Pakistan's technology-driven work environments. The research is primarily grounded in the Job Demands-Resources Model, and secondary supported by the Transactional Theory of Stress and Techno-stress Model, the research examines five key constructs: digital technology use (independent variable), techno-stress and occupational stress (mediators), job resources and support (moderator), and safety performance (dependent variable). Data were collected from 220 ground employees across Pakistani airports using a structured questionnaire with six sections measuring demographics, technology usage, techno-stress, occupational stress, job resources, and safety performance. Analysis was conducted using Smart PLS for structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), including reliability and validity testing (convergent and distinctive), path analysis, and mediation-moderation examinations. Findings indicate that digital technology use is significantly and positively associated with both techno-stress and occupational stress. However, only occupational stress significantly and negatively influences safety performance, whereas techno-stress does not have a significant effect. Occupational stress serves as a mediator in the relationship between technology use and safety performance, but techno-stress does not mediate this relationship, and the proposed serial mediation pathway is not supported. Job resources and support do not significantly buffer the detrimental effects of either techno-stress or occupational stress on safety performance. Overall, the model explains a modest portion of the variance in safety performance. Practically, the findings inform aviation organizations in implementing technology training, stress management programs, and supportive supervision. For regulators, results support policies integrating employee wellbeing into safety management systems. Future research should employ longitudinal designs, include objective measures, and examine cross-cultural comparisons to extend these findings.