A meta-analytic investigation of cyberloafing

Abstract

Purpose Cyberloafing, using technology to idle instead of work, is a particularly concerning issue for many organizations due to its perceived widespread impact on productivity. The purpose of this paper is to meta-analytically examine the growing literature on this construct in order to gain insights into its nomological network and guide future research. Design/methodology/approach After a systematic literature search, the authors conducted psychometric meta-analyses to estimate the relationships of 39 different correlates with cyberloafing. The meta-analytic database was comprised of 54 independent samples contributing 609 effect sizes. Findings Results indicate that boredom, engagement, and self-control exhibit strong relationships with cyberloafing, but employees’ attitudes surrounding and opportunities to engage in cyberloafing also proved powerful predictors. Contrary to common stereotypes, age and other demographic variables exhibited negligible effects. Employment variables (e.g. tenure, organization level, and income) were also negligibly related to cyberloafing. Emotional stability, conscientiousness, and agreeableness exhibited modest negative relationships with cyberloafing, whereas self-control demonstrated a strong negative relationship. Although cyberloafing strongly correlated with overall counterproductive work behaviors, the findings suggest it is unrelated to other components of job performance. Research limitations/implications Because the cyberloafing literature is in its early stages, the present study drew on a limited number of samples for several of the relationships analyzed. Rather than providing conclusive evidence of the nomological network of cyberloafing, these analyses reinforce the need for empirical investigation into several important relationships. Originality/value As the first quantitative review of the emerging cyberloafing literature, this study synthesizes related studies from disparate disciplines, examines the nomological network of cyberloafing, and highlights future directions for research into this phenomenon.

Employee perceptions of climate as an antecedent of time banditry in the workplace

“…Third, we provided additional evidence as to the counterintuitive nature of time banditry as compared to other behaviors that would be considered organizational misbehavior. In line with research by Mercado, Giordano, & Dilchert, , we find that positive perceptions of climate can actually lead to more time banditry behaviors. This outcome provides more fodder for the theory that some misbehavior can and should be viewed as instrumental in nature.…”

“…On its face, the change in directionality of the relationship between time banditry and job level climate is counterintuitive. However, recent evidence of the nomological network of cyberloafing, a form of technological time banditry, demonstrates positive or null relationships between cyberloafing and several variables highly relevant to job‐level climate (e.g., satisfaction, support, autonomy, empowerment) (Mercado et al, ). Therefore, the positive correlation with job climate and negative correlation with team and organizational climate is potentially consistent with the extant literature.…”

Impact of Supervisors’ Perceived Communication Style on Subordinate’s Psychological Capital and Cyberloafing

“…One of the most acknowledged internet misuses, is cyberloafing, which refers any 'voluntary act of employees' using their companies' internet access during office hours to surf non-job-related web sites for personal purposes and to check (including receiving and sending) personal e-mail' (Lim, 2002, p. 677). Cyberloafing has been conceptualized as form of workplace deviance behaviour, which is voluntary in nature and violates organizational norms and threatens the well-being of the organization and/or its members (Lim, 2002;Mercado et al, 2017). It has been found to have a significant cost to employers and has negative ramifications for employees (Mercado et al, 2017).…”

Counterproductive work behaviors 2.0: Assessment or consequences

“…Consistent with the stated aims and coverage, the set of articles that constitute this special issue address two major themes: new and emerging forms as well as individually focused determinants of CWB. For a fuller review of CWB than the one gleaned from only the articles contributing to the special issue, interested readers can consult recent reviews and meta‐analyses on CWB (Blonigen, ; Giordano, Ones, & Viswesvaran, in press; Mercado, Dilchert, Giordano, & Ones, ; Mercado, Giordano, & Dilchert, ; Ones & Dilchert, ; Ones, Viswesvaran, & Schmidt, ).…”

“…For a fuller review of CWB than the one gleaned from only the articles contributing to the special issue, interested readers can consult recent reviews and meta-analyses on CWB (Blonigen, 2010;Giordano, Ones, & Viswesvaran, in press;Mercado, Dilchert, Giordano, & Ones, 2018;Mercado, Giordano, & Dilchert, 2017;Ones & Dilchert, 2013;Ones, Viswesvaran, & Schmidt, 2012).…”