Exploring cyberloafing behavior in South-central Ethiopia: A close look at Madda Walabu University

Abstract

The Internet has made a significant impact on work and the personal lives of people working around the world. While access to the Internet has changed the ways work can be carried out, it has also increased the opportunities for people to cyberloaf, while under the guise of doing work. Cyberloafing is employees’ non-work related use of internet while working hours in any organization. Of late, it is a burning issue owing to its concern with employees’ work culture, productivity, safety and security. This study explores cyberloafing in Madda Walabu University, situated in South-central Ethiopia aiming at employees’ attitudes, opportunities and addictions to cyberloafing; and how far it has brought change in their lives. The objectives of this research are: to determine the attitude towards cyberloafing; to identify the opportunities through cyberloafing; to underline developments through cyberloafing; and to specify the addiction of cyberloafing. The participants of this research are those females who are working as secretaries of 11 different departments of Madda Walabu University having internet connection on their office computer. The study is qualitative with interview (n=20) as a tool and snow- ball sampling as a sampling technique. The data is transcribed, sorted, edited, coded and analyzed manually; and the results and discussion is presented through underlining themes. Findings suggest that most of the cyberloafers showed positive attitude, acknowledged opportunities; confirmed development and addiction into their lives due to cyber engagements. Further research is needed to investigate the other stakeholders like students, teachers, managers and other stakeholders in order to obtain the holistic picture of cyberloafing behavior in the Ethiopian universities. Key