The moderating role of techno-related control in the relationship between algorithmic management and technostress among sport science professionals

Abstract

Introduction The increasing integration of digital and artificial intelligence-supported systems into sport organizations has transformed managerial processes such as performance monitoring, evaluation, planning, scheduling, and decision-making. This study examined the association between algorithmic management and technostress among sport science professionals and investigated the moderating role of techno-related control. Methods A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with 372 sport science professionals working in sport-related organizations where digital or AI-supported systems were used to perform or support managerial functions. Algorithmic management was assessed using the Algorithmic Management Questionnaire, technostress was measured using the Turkish version of the Technostress Creators Scale, and techno-related control was assessed using the Techno-related Control subscale of the Technology-Related Moderator Scale. The measurement model was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis, and the hypothesized moderation model was tested using Hayes’ PROCESS Macro Model 1. Results Algorithmic management was positively associated with technostress (B = 0.38, p < 0.001), whereas techno-related control was negatively associated with technostress (B = −0.17, p < 0.001). In addition, the interaction between algorithmic management and techno-related control was negative and statistically significant (B = −0.12, SE = 0.038, p = 0.002, 95% CI [−0.19, −0.05]). The interaction explained an additional 2.1% of the variance in technostress (ΔR² = 0.021), indicating that the positive association between algorithmic management and technostress became weaker as techno-related control increased. Discussion These findings suggest that techno-related control may represent a meaningful, although modest, boundary condition in the relationship between algorithmic management and technostress and may help explain differences in how sport science professionals experience technology-mediated managerial demands.