Title: Employee adoption of digital technologies: role of employee competence and readiness

Authors: S. Vijayarani; M. Sowmiya; M. Harish; B. Premkumar

Addresses: Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram, Chennai – 600089, Tamil Nadu, India ' Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram, Chennai – 600089, Tamil Nadu, India ' Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram, Chennai – 600089, Tamil Nadu, India ' Faculty of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai – 603203, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Employee digital technology readiness, competence, perceived work meaningfulness, and active personality are examined in the context of organisational digital transformation. The goal is to understand how these factors combine to improve digital employee performance and adaptability. Based on employee digital technology readiness and competence literature, the study provides a conceptual framework that examines how digital readiness affects employee competence and work meaningfulness, modulated by active personality qualities. Following Moreno, this study surveyed work-place digital technology users online. Qualtrics used independent expert opinions to build and distribute the survey for clarity and readability. Literature-based instrument data was analysed using SPSS and structural equation modelling. SEM revealed correlations and mediation effects between latent variables, exposing employee preparedness, competence, and job results. Data structural route analysis reveals several critical conclusions. First, digital technology preparedness boosts employee skills and job satisfaction. This shows that tech-savvy workers are more engaged and skilled. Second, proactive employees are more likely to adopt technology and find significance in their work, as their active personalities strengthened the relationship between digital preparedness and employment meaningfulness. Meaningful employment improves employee competence, showing engaged workers learn and perform well.

Keywords: digital technology readiness; employee competence; meaningfulness of work; active personality; organisational digital transformation; job satisfaction; skill development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2025.149072

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2025 Vol.19 No.4, pp.359 - 387

Received: 20 Oct 2024
Accepted: 22 Feb 2025
Published online: 13 Oct 2025 *

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