Workload in the Austrian IT-sector regarding leadership roles

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Gender Studies in IT

Background:

• Leadership roles in the IT sector are increasingly complex.
• Understanding workload impacts on leaders is crucial for organizational well-being.
• Gender differences in workplace challenges are under-researched in IT leadership.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of workload on leadership roles in the Austrian IT sector.
• To analyze gender-specific differences in leadership challenges.
• To identify factors influencing occupational health among IT leaders.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study design with 200 IT professionals in Austria.
• Stratification based on personnel responsibility and gender.
• Utilized the modified German Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) to assess demands, influence, interpersonal relations, work interface, and conflicts.

Main Results:

• Leaders with personnel responsibility reported significantly lower scores in demands and influence.
• Concerns about occupational stability were noted among leaders in the work interface dimension.
• Male participants reported fewer conflicts than female participants, indicating gendered experiences of workplace challenges.

Conclusions:

• Individuals in leadership roles, particularly those with personnel responsibility, face unique workload challenges.
• Gender plays a significant role in the types and frequency of workplace conflicts experienced by IT leaders.
• Targeted interventions acknowledging gender-specific challenges are essential for enhancing occupational health and support systems for IT leaders.