Impact of digitalization on employee's autonomy: evidence from French firms

Purpose This paper aims to clarify the relationship between digitalization and the employees’ autonomy. It proposes a positive relationship between digitalization and employees. It explains why strategic human resource management (HRM) is essential in this relationship. The study aims to solve the control autonomy paradox related to the use of technology in organizations. Design/methodology/approach The paper opted for the explanatory study using a cross-sectional design. Responses were received from the alumni of a French business school using the survey strategy. Structural equation modelling has been used to validate the measure and to test the hypotheses. Findings The paper provides empirical evidence for the positive relationship between digitalization and employees’ autonomy. It suggests that an enabling control-based HRM system mediates the positive relationship between digitalization and autonomy. Originality/value The study enriches the literature in information technology by solving the control autonomy paradox associated with information technology. Moreover, the study also highlights the importance of an enabling control-based HRM system by underlining its role in developing the empowering organizational context.