Cyber Loafing at Work Place – A Literature Review

Abstract

In the present era, a large amount of attention is dedicated to technological advancements which have created a courageous novel work place. It has revolutionized the method in which work is carried out, and how workers/employees can improve their productivity and efficiency. But, new opportunities and avenues for people to misbehave has been opened by entrance of technology. The study focuses, the act of employees using their companies internet access for personal use during work hour is known as cyber loafing. Cyber loafing is a type of production deviance. The study represents the relationship between cyber loafing and three important variables which are perceived organisational control, fear of formal punishment and physical leadership closeness as understood by employees. The previous study on cyber loafing, needs to be expanded by considering the impact of personality and some past unexplored situational factors. The power of big five personality factors is also tested. Whereas, on the amount of cyber loafing the existence of an internet usage policy and apparent work meaningfulness is also examined. There are two types of cyber loafing, minor cyber loafing for example employees sending and receiving personal mail at office hour) and serious cyber loafing for example online gambling, exploring adult oriented websites. Perception of employees about their co-worker and manager standards also supports to cyber loafing. These are related to minor cyber loafing not serious cyber loafing. The external focus of control also leads to other counter productive work behaviours related to minor and serious cyber loafing.