The impact of information systems on stress and behavioral outcomes

The aim of this thesis is to understand how information systems affect the perception of stress and what consequences this effect has on behavioral outcomes. Previous research in the area of information systems, stress, and behavior has highlighted either stress resulting from inter-action with information systems or the potential usefulness of information to reduce stress. Limited research has set out to understand how this dual effect of information systems on stress influences behavioral outcomes. This thesis claims that behavioral outcomes can be better predicted when considering both emphases on the stress-information systems relationship simultaneously. To achieve this research aim, five studies – that set the focus on battery electric vehicles – were conducted. One study provides insights into the positive effect of information systems on the perception of stress and its consequences for behavioral outcomes. A conceptual model was developed that enables investigation of the relationship among information systems, stress, and behavioral outcomes. The results show that the general provision of timely and relevant information through information systems is suitable to reduce stress originating from the limited driving range of battery electric vehicles, thus positively influencing the attitude towards using these vehicles. Two further studies investigate the opposite effect of information systems on the perception of stress. It is shown that the inappropriate provision of information through information systems might increase the perception of stress in the user, which, in turn, may negatively influence the willingness to use battery electric vehicles. Another study integrates both emphases in the stress-information systems relationship, showing that both directional effects influence behavioral outcomes. Finally, one study expands the research focus to mobility-related sustainable business models, revealing the importance of considering the actual impact of information systems on individuals in the design of mobility-related sustainable business models. It is shown that information systems-enabled pricing schemes – an important characteristic of mobility-related sustainable business models – influence the stress perception in users of e-car sharing, which, in turn, impacts behavioral outcomes. The thesis provides important implications to researchers and practitioners by challenging the single viewpoint approach on the information systems–stress relationship when assessing behavioral outcomes.