Cyberslacking Facts of Organization: Determinants and Impact

Author Name(s): Richika Shekher, Prof. Rijuta Joshi
Author Email: shekherrs@rknec.edu

Abstract

Cyberloafing is a term used to describe the actions of employees who use their internet access at work for personal use. Cyberloafing has two primary forms minor cyberloafing (eg. Sending and receiving personal emails at work) and serious cyber loafing (eg. Online gambling, surfing adult oriented web site). Due to growth in technology it has increased the chances of an individual to cyberloaf in workplace. Internet has made the boundaries between work and non-work (home) less distinct by mixing the personal work in workplace and doing organizational work at home. The purpose is to study the influence of cyberslacking on task performance of employees and considering the impacts of cyberslacking on the organizations. This study is in term of the organisation. This study examines the cyberloafing phenomenon, explains the determinants of cyberloafing in organization and analyzes its positive and negative impacts as well as controlling methods.

Keywords Cyberloafing, Cyberslacking, Controlling Measures, Determinants and Impact.

Introduction

Big changes took place throughout the world, in last couples of decade. There occurred the great technological advancement change. Internet had dramatic effect on people’s lives. Most significant changes which covers the way of information’s age by development of Information and Technology and the internet. In the recent years, abuse of company’s internet resources by employees has received a considerable amount of attention among organization. The means of production have been improved because of computer and other electronic devices by automating certain activities and by supporting employees in their daily task. Internet technologies had brought enormous benefits to part of both personal and business lives and it is unavoidable. Organization had identified and connected the potential offered by internet, and as a tool for enhancing employee performance. Internet had played an important role in helping reducing cost of businesses, to reduce product cycle time and give efficient services. According to survey of employees, 90% admitted engaging in non-work related web surfing at work and 84% said they sent personal e-mail at work[1]. As par the definition of cyberloafing is act of employees using their organizations internet access for personal purpose during working hours. Examples of cyberloafing include sending and receiving e-mails to friends and family, posting updates on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, going shopping online, visiting entertainment websites and downloading software such videos, music and games. As cyberloafing is rapidly increasing it is important for the organizations to understand why employees engage themselves in cyberloafing at workplace, so that organizations can effectively manage employee’s internet usage at work. In 2002, 56% of employees used internet for personal use[2]. In 2003, 59% of employees used internet for non-work related things[3]. And in 2005, cyberslacking had become the most common ways for employees to waste time during working hours[4].

 

Conclusion

Cyberloafing has relationship with task performance. There are two kinds of relationship one is negative and another is positive. But as we studied above more over there are negative relationships between cyberslacking and task performance. When we come to the consequences of cyberloafing there are two types’ positive consequences and negative consequences. While studying any topic we should study both aspect of the topic. So as there are negative consequences of cyberloafing like privacy problems, misuse of network resources and uncompetitive organization but there are positive aspect also which cannot be neglected as it reduces the boredom form work, stress, it helps to be creative and flexible. For the problems of increasing abuse of internet we can implement the controlling measures.

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