An Analysis of the Factors Contributing to Internet Abuse in the Work Place

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Purpose – This study aims to examine the factors that influence the most popular topic in the society as internet abuse and addiction at the work place.

Design/Methodology/Approach – The survey results of 40 responses were analyzed to test the proposed hypothesis based on factors affecting to internet abuse and addiction at work places. Data were collected from individuals working in Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Findings – It was found that personality factors such as self-esteem significantly influence employees’ internet addictions and internet addiction significantly impacts employees’ internet abuse and thereby reduction in productivity of organisations.

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 to a working environment, which is becoming popular.

Originality/value – This study provides a comprehensive theoretical foundation to better understand the two controversial issues in industry. The study validates the important relationships of self-esteem, use and gratification and availability of an internet policy for the improvement of organisational performances. Also this study notes that the existence of the computer usage policies does not ensure that all employees are familiar with the content of those policies and penalties imposed on their violation.

Internet addiction and its abuse have the potential of devastating an individual’s personal life and also destroying an organization’s goodwill. Some organizations are even proactively formulating internet use policy and adopting electronic monitoring systems to prevent the occurrences of internet abuse from happening. Many studies have supported that, such as internet use policy and electronic monitoring systems, can effectively mitigate, prevent or deter internet addiction problems. By examining the responses of the study, the researcher can identify that disordered behaviors of using the e-mail in the workplace are the result of unclear internet use policy or lack of communication about the existence of electronic monitoring systems. Further this results in staying online for an unnecessary period of time at work place. Humans are the weakest link in the control of internet use. Employees with a higher degree of awareness of the existence of internet use policy are least likely to have internet abuse problems. As an effective preventive measure it is to create a security-aware culture by educating staff about risks and symptoms of internet abuse. An effective training program to improve the awareness of internet use in the workplace can evaluate adverse consequences of internet abuse problems.

Self-esteem is a personality trait that is a strong predictor for the internet addiction tendency of an employee in the workplace. As a result, employees are more likely to get addicted to the internet in the workplace and there by gratification of internet usage can be evaluated. Employees with low self-esteem often resort to the internet for their psychological needs. As a result, these employees are more likely to spend more time on the internet than those employees with high self-esteem. Companies aiming to lower internet addiction behavior should not only address policies and technical aspects of the work environment. Also should see if it is possible to hire employees with the personality traits of high self-esteem. These preventive measures are often more effective than reactive measures after internet addiction behaviors are spotted in the workplace. Without proper control, employees with internet addiction problems can display disturbed patterns of internet use. These problems can carry over to the workplace and result in a lowered productivity of employees in the workplace. In the worst case scenarios, some internet abuse problems can create corporate liability with illegal activities and potential lawsuits.