An empirical evaluation of key factors contributing to internet abuse in the workplace

Abstract

Purpose-This study seeks to synthesize theories from communication, psychology and criminology to examine the factors that influence the two most popular topics in industry-internet abuse and addiction at the workplace. Design/methodology/approach-The survey results of 351 responses were analyzed to test the proposed hypotheses and research model using structural equation modeling. Data were collected in Southern Science Park in Taiwan. Findings-It was found that personality factors such as locus of control and self-esteem significantly influence employees' internet addictions; and internet addiction significantly impacts employees' internet abuse at the workplace. Practical implications-Employers should pay special attention to employees' personalities because they play important roles in internet addiction and internet abuse. Also a good internet policy will be useful especially to a panoptic working environment, which is becoming popular. Originality/value. his study provides a comprehensive theoretical foundation to better understand the two controversial issues in industry. The empirical study validates the important theories of locus of control, self-esteem, use and gratification, control, and containment in workplace surveillance and deviant behavior research

Deviance in the Internet Use in Working Environment: Key Factors and Remedies based on an Exploratory Study

“…The results of the statistical analysis, the values of the correlation coefficient r and the p parameter from the regression analysis confirmed some results presented in previous studies (Chen, 2008) namely Internet addiction is strongly correlated to the addiction to several Internet services. Internet-addicted people in Slovenia have similar feeling like being isolated from the real social environment and feeling of loneliness.…”

“…In that context they are considered to abuse their duties due to the diagnosed Internet addiction. Deviant use of the Internet in the workplace, which is usually described as personal use of the services provided by an Internet network within the work environment and as an abuse was approached in 2008 by few authors (Chen, 2008). It was considered that the abuse happen when an employee voluntary use Internet services during working hours using company resources outside of his/her customary job/work requirements.…”

“…Internet abuse in the workplace is also defined as the misuse of information technology belonging to the organization for achieving personal gains, instead of the goals of the organization (Chen, 2008). This is considered as violation of the normal working norms in any kind of organization, company or institution.…”

“…An employee abusing the Internet will be most probably be distracted from its usual workload as is engaged in unproductive or unethical activities. These Internet related activities range from online shopping, chatting with friends or family, playing games, on-line gambling, sports betting or watching pornography (Chen, 2008). Sometimes it may lead to non-ethical use like malware application or purchase of illegal substances.…”

Personal Internet Use: The Use of Personal Mobile Devices at the Workplace

“…External locus of control was found to be related to personal Internet use (Blanchard and Henle, 2008) suggesting that employees who used the Internet for personal purposes believed that getting caught on the act was purely by chance or bad luck. Similarly, in Chen et al (2008), locus of control has been found to significantly influence employees' Internet use at the workplace. Therefore, we posited that:…”