CYBERLOAFING: AN ASSESSMENT OF ITS EFFECT ON THE EMPLOYEES WELL-BEING

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The performance and well-being of employees are crucial for organizations, and new workplace trends have been emerging to adapt to the changes and innovation. Over the past few decades, there has been a swift and widespread dominance of technology in the world. The internet and technology improvements in the workplace have revolutionized organizations and opened up new possibilities. However, they have also amplified the potential for deviant activities (Jandaghi et al., 2018). Cyberloafing, defined as the act of employees using their company's internet for personal and non-work-related activities during working hours (Lim, 2022). This is considered to be one of these deviant behaviors. According to Lim et al., (2022), cyberloafing is a widespread issue that consistently worries corporations since it leads to a decline in workers' work performance and, as a result, a loss in production for organizations (Lim & Chen, 2022). Additionally,  Stanton (2018) asserts that surfing the web during working hours is generally considered a pleasurable activity that can contribute to increased employee happiness and reduced stress levels. On the other hand, Greengard (2020) described cyberloafing as an act of abuse and misconduct that diverts employees' attention away from their work duties, resulting in decreased performance and productivity (Johnson & Rawlins, 2018). However, previous research has primarily focused on the causes and predictors of cyberloafing, as well as the associated risks, costs, and prevention policies.  Jandaghi et al. (2019) and Young & Case (2017) have explored the risks, costs, and policies related to cyberloafing. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of study on the repercussions of cyberloafing (Jandaghi et al., 2019). Due to varying outcomes and perspectives on this matter, further investigation is necessary to have a more comprehensive understanding of the actual influence of cyberloafing on performance. Recently, employers have become increasingly attentive and concerned about the mental and physical health of their employees (Rongen et al., 2018). From an organizational management perspective, the well-being of employees plays a crucial role in determining the quality, performance, productivity, and overall effectiveness and profitability of a business or organization (White et al., 2018; Coulson et al., 2019; Hogan et al., 2019). Similalry, ensuring the wellness of staff is becoming more important and essential in today's workplace. Organizations are increasingly using workplace health promotion programs, such as physical exercise programs during office hours, to enhance workplace wellbeing (Rongen et al., 2018). However, managers aim to enhance workers' work performance by promoting their health through these measures (Conn, 2019). Although many studies examine the effects of cyberloafing and physical exercise on overall health (Conn, 2019), as well as cognitive performance in older adults and adolescents (Phillips et al., 2016; Tarp et al., 2016), there is limited research on how physical exercise specifically impacts performance, productivity, and other business-related outcomes (Agrawal &  Narain, 2021). However, given the increasing significance of this topic in the workplace, it is crucial for future research to investigate this area. Considering this, a survey will be conducted in order to  assess the effect of  cyberloafing on employees well-being in Cameroon. 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

 Cyberloafing is a prevalent issue with significant costs. Studies by Wagner et al. (2019), Garret & Danziger (2018) and Sheikh et al. (2018) have examined the potential antecedents and predictors of cyberloafing. However, numerous studies have delved into the phenomenon of internet abuse in the workplace. While some argue that cyberloafing can yield positive outcomes, others highlight its detrimental effects as a coping mechanism for job-related stress. Employees often use company-provided internet resources to browse non-work-related websites such as YouTube and social media during breaks. Moreover, engaging in cyberloafing has been found to correlate positively with employee emotions, while dealing with work-related emails can have a negative impact on emotional well-being. Certain personnel also utilize the internet to enhance their expertise and stay informed about current events both domestically and globally. Despite employers' efforts to limit internet usage, several studies indicate that employees continue to engage in cyberloafing during valuable work hours. Based on these findings, a moderate level of cyberloafing may be considered reasonable, emphasizing the importance for organizations to allow internet usage for educational and recreational purposes within ethical boundaries (Smith et al., 2018). Conversely, cyberloafing detracts from task performance by impeding work time. When employees spend their working hours shopping on internet platforms like eBay, their dedication to job performance is hindered (Jones et al., 2019). The majority of employment requires employees to interact with information technology devices, often leading to engagement in cyberloafing activities. Thus, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the effect of  cyberloafing on employees well-being in Cameroon.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the effect of  cyberloafing on employees well-being in Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Investigate the extent to which employee engage in cyberloafing in Cameroon.

Determine whether there is a relationship between cyberloafing and employees’ well-being in Cameroon.

Evaluate the psychological effects of cyberloafing on employee well-being.

Assess ways cyberloafing can be mitigated in the workplace in Cameroon.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the extent to which employee engage in cyberloafing in Cameroon?

Is there a relationship between cyberloafing and employees’ well-being in Cameroon?

What are the psychological effects of cyberloafing on employee well-being?

What are the ways cyberloafing can be mitigated in the workplace in Cameroon?

1.5  Research Hypotheses

H0: There is no significant effect of  cyberloafing on employees well-being in Cameroon.

Ha: There is a significant effect of  cyberloafing on employees well-being in Cameroon.

1.6  Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will provide guidance to organizations in addressing and mitigating employees' deviant cyberloafing behaviors. Additionally, it can help organizations leverage the advantages of physical exercise to enhance employees' performance, well-being and maximize overall productivity. Also, employees will benefit from research on cyberloafing as it raises awareness about the potential consequences of engaging in non-work-related online activities during work hours.  Further more, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the effect of  cyberloafing on employees well-being in Cameroon. 

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the effect of  cyberloafing on employees well-being in Cameroon. Empirically, the study will investigate the extent to which employee engage in cyberloafing in Cameroon, evaluate the psychological effects of cyberloafing on employee well-being, and determine whether there is a relationship between cyberloafing and employees’ well-being in Cameroon.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to employees of NEXTTEL, Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Employee: a person employed for wages or salary.

Productivity: the state or quality of being productive. It is the effectiveness of productive effort, especially in an organization, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input.

Cyberloafing: is a terminology which can be described as the action of employees who use the internet for non-work related activities or personal use during their working hours while pretending to do official work.

Well-being: the overall state of health, happiness, and prosperity experienced by an individual or a group.