POST-PANDEMIC DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: MITIGATING TECHNOSTRESS AND INCREASING WELL-BEING IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY VIA THE PERSON-TECHNOLOGY FIT MODEL

Understanding how to reduce employee tech stress is crucial for improving workforce well-being and maximizing operational efficiency in the tourism and hospitality sectors due to the post-COVID-19 digital transformation. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of enhancing restaurant employees' digital transformation readiness and technological device readiness on reducing employees' technostress. The study employed a qualitative methodology of semi-structured interviews, primarily addressing the paucity of scholarly investigations within this specific research area. The interviewee cohort encompassed both managerial and staff members from two distinct categories of restaurants (i.e., fast-food and casual dining restaurants). The study found eight factors related to the readiness of restaurant employees for digital transformation, as well as four factors related to the readiness of restaurant technological devices. According to interviewees, these factors have been found to reduce restaurant employees' techno stressors. Theoretically, this study extends the digital transformation readiness model from three to eight factors, and the study extends the person technology fit model from three to four factors to reduce employees' technostress. From a managerial perspective, restaurant managers can use the study framework to enhance employees' technological skills, foster a positive attitude toward digital transformation, and invest in user-friendly technology, which can ultimately reduce technostress and improve employee well-being and performance in the dynamic hospitality industry.