Strategies Functional Managers Use to Control Cyberloafing Behaviors
Strategies Functional Managers Use to Control Cyberloafing Behaviors by Emilsen S. Holguin MBA, Excelsior College, 2010 BS, Excelsior College, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2016 Abstract Computer technologies have increased the opportunities for employees to engage in cyberloafing by using the Internet at work for personal purposes. Uncontrolled cyberloafing is a threat to organizational effectiveness because it affects organizational productivity. The purpose of this single case study was to explore successful strategies functional managers use to control cyberloafing behaviors of their employees at an e Computer technologies have increased the opportunities for employees to engage in cyberloafing by using the Internet at work for personal purposes. Uncontrolled cyberloafing is a threat to organizational effectiveness because it affects organizational productivity. The purpose of this single case study was to explore successful strategies functional managers use to control cyberloafing behaviors of their employees at an elearning organization located in the northeastern United States. The theory of planned behavior, which emphasized behavioral, normative, and control beliefs as key elements to predict individuals' intentions to behave was the conceptual framework. Data collection included semistructured face to face interviews with 11 functional managers and an exploration of organizational policies, procedures, and handbooks. Data analysis included examination of word frequencies, keyword coding, and theme identification. Using Yin's 5 steps for data analysis, 3 themes emerged: create engaging jobs, communicate clear expectations, and promote a positive work environment. Functional managers in the elearning organization in this study may control cyberloafing by ensuring that social norms convey disapproval, combining deterrence policies and performance metrics; and showing attitudes that promote citizenship behaviors. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide the e learning organization in this study with best practices that support employees' needs for work life balance, thus promoting employee satisfaction while maximizing employee productivity. As a result, the findings of this study can decrease stress, increase morale and positively impact the overall well being of the organization's workforce. Strategies Functional Managers Use to Control Cyberloafing Behaviors by Emilsen S. Holguin MBA, Excelsior College, 2010 BS, Excelsior College, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2016 Dedication I want to thank my mother, who motivated me to follow my heart and keep learning throughout my life. Since I was little, she taught me that querer es poder, which is Spanish for where there is a will, there is a way. Her encouragement allowed me to reach this point in my academic journey. I dedicate this study to my loving and patient husband, Miguel, who never doubted that I would complete the program, even when I was not so sure. He shared my dream, and his faith in me kept me going. I look forward to continuing to chase our dreams together. Acknowledgments I am very grateful to Dr. Lisa Kangas for her dedication and guidance throughout this journey. Her constant encouragement kept me focused on my goal. I would like to acknowledge my committee members Dr. Kenneth Gossett and Dr. Kim Critchlow. Their valuable guidance and suggestions contributed significantly to my study. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen does not know it, but her jokes were my coping mechanism for dealing with the stress, and they kept me swimming!