Abstract: Organizations are increasingly operating in environments characterized by demanding workloads, rapid technological developments, and constant organizational change. These conditions often expose employees to varying levels of work pressure, which can influence both their psychological functioning and workplace performance (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007). Although excessive work pressure is generally associated with stress and reduced effectiveness, contemporary organizational research suggests that employees' cognitive responses may alter these outcomes (LePine, Podsakoff, & LePine, 2005). One cognitive process that has attracted growing scholarly attention is daydreaming, particularly its constructive form, which may support creativity, emotional recovery, and problem-solving (Smallwood & Schooler, 2015).
This study investigates whether daydreaming functions as a mediating mechanism between work pressure and two important dimensions of employee performance: innovative performance and task performance. Drawing upon the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) Theory (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007) and Cognitive Resource Theory (Fiedler & Garcia, 1987), the study proposes that work pressure influences employees' tendency to engage in constructive daydreaming, which subsequently affects their ability to generate innovative ideas while maintaining routine job performance. A quantitative research approach is proposed, and the hypothesized relationships will be examined using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings are expected to contribute to organizational behavior literature by providing a deeper understanding of the psychological processes through which work pressure influences employee outcomes and by offering practical recommendations for managing workplace demands while encouraging innovation and employee well-being.
Keywords: Work Pressure, Constructive Daydreaming, Innovative Performance, Task Performance, Mediation, Organizational Behavior, Structural Equation Modeling.
Title: The Mediating Role of Daydreaming in the Relationship between Work Pressure and Employee Innovative Performance and Task Performance
Author: Mrs. S. T. AnuMeena, Dr. S Arulkumar
International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations
ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)
Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 678-683
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 15-July-2026
