Hi, I am currently working on my dissertation with the following variables:
IV: Technology Use (X)
DV: Job Satisfaction (Y)
Mediator: Work-Life Conflict (M)
Moderator: Flexibility & Permeability of Boundaries (T1 & T2)
My model follows X → M → Y, with T1 and T2 moderating the first stage (X → M).
I am encountering some difficulties writing the literature review for my moderator role. Many previous studies describe moderators as directly affecting the X → Y relationship, but I have not been able to find studies that examine a moderator in the same format as mine. I would like to know if there are alternative approaches to structuring the literature review in this context.
Would it be possible to frame this using Boundary Theory, showing how flexibility and permeability in work-life boundaries might influence the relationship between technology use and work-life conflict? If no, please let me know any other alternatives.
Thank you.
You are proposing a case of what is known as moderated mediation, where the effect of the mediating variable depends on the state of the moderating variable(s). This is a relatively complex set of hypotheses, so it may well not have been covered in the available literature.
In general, trying to understand a direct effect by positing a mediating variable is a strong way to develop theory. In your case, you are doing something similar by taking a simple moderating effect and trying to say more about its origins.
I suggest you examine the idea of necessary and sufficient causes. The relationships of variables can be quite complex. See https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9940892/
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