Identifying the Antecedents and Consequences of Cyberlaofing by Meta-synthesis and Fuzzy Delphi

The invention of the Internet and the use of this phenomenon in organizations greatly helped business affairs. In addition to the role it can play, it may create major problems for organizations. For example, the Internet can provide an opportunity for employees to engage in non-work-related activities. Although non-work-related tasks were possible for employees before the invention of the Internet (such as reading newspapers, reading books, and talking on the phone), the Internet has increased this possibility by providing new conditions at the workplace. In other words, cyberloafing, a product of the age of communication technology, is an anti-productive deviant behavior against organizational norms that ultimately costs the organization.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK :

Aimed at clarifying the reasons for it, previous studies have been mainly focused on Internet browsing behaviors. Therefore, the current research emphasizes important points such as how cyberloafing occurs, how it spreads, and the consequences of this phenomenon for employees and organizations. This is an important topic for research because of the recent increase in per capita internet usage in the country. Accordingly, the main purpose of the current research is to identify the antecedents and consequences of employees' cyberloafing in the Academic Jihad Organization of Tehran.

The current research is an applied study in terms of purpose, and in regards to the method, was a mixed study. In the qualitative phase, a 7-step meta-synthesis method was used to identify the antecedents and consequences of cyberloafing. Qualitative data were gathered from domestic and international databases, which were sampled using the criteria-based purposeful sampling method. Within-subject agreement strategy of two coders was used to determine the reliability of the qualitative data. In the quantitative phase, a multi-stage Fuzzy Delphi technique was used to screen and confirm the findings of the meta-synthesis. In this phase, the statistical population was comprised of the experts of the Tehran Academic Jihad Organization.

Thirteen basic and 44 primary themes were identified and categorized into three components for antecedents of cyberloafing. Cyberloafing consequences were placed in four categories from 11 basic and 31 primary themes. Then, the fuzzy Delphi method was used to obtain the opinions of experts and specialists to confirm the identified components. The factors of confronting the organization, finding friends, and having few interactions with colleagues were confirmed as antecedents, while the factor of improving work relations was removed due to low importance. The second round of fuzzy Delphi reaffirmed the components of the first round. The antecedents of cyberloafing have been classified into three categories of structural, behavioral, and environmental factors. The negative consequences of cyberloafing were divided into two categories of organizational and personal damage. However, at the same time, the results showed that internet browsing could sometimes bring positive outcomes for organizations. If cyberloafing happens temporarily during long and exhausting working hours can recover the employees' strength and energy.

 CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS :

The results of the current research indicated that the expansion of social networks, the ease of employees' access to the Internet, and the lack of adequate monitoring and accurate evaluation of employees can increase cyberloafing. However, surfing the Internet during working hours can be a way to escape from the employees' mental conflicts caused by the economic pressures governing society. Moreover, the mismatch of working conditions with the physical and mental characteristics of employees, which is the result of the lack of meritocracy in recruiting employees, can cause a lack of motivation in performing assigned tasks. Another important factor is employees' extremism in cyberloafing, which may be the result of the lack of appropriate socialization or an undesirable organizational culture. On the other hand, the employees' desire to increase information and self-awareness can be considered a positive motive for surfing the Internet during working hours that increases their abilities and creativity. In summary, the research results helping organizations' managers in dealing with employees' cyberloafing are as follows. First, the structural, behavioral, and environmental aspects of cyberloafing can increase managers' awareness of this phenomenon. Second, the cyberloafing consequences are not necessarily harmful to the organization but may lead to personal growth, development, and recovery. Third, managers should examine and analyze the factors affecting this phenomenon in the environment of their own organization based on their employees' emotions and feelings.