ABUSE OF INTERNET SERVICES IN THE WORKPLACE AND THE EMERGENCE OF ADDICTION

• Main Authors: Mateja Gorenc, Borka Jerman Blažič, Anita Goltnik Urnaut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: CEOs Ltd. 2016-05-01
• Series: Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences
• Subjects: addiction to the Internet; organizational climate; relations in the working organization; the Internet policy
• Online Access: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2016-no2-art7.pdf

Employees who abuse Internet privileges have become a major concern among today's employers. Employees misuse Internet at the workplace due to the overcrowded schedule, pressures at work, etc. Internet for private purposes is also used as a release or escape from work, escape from the reality of the workplace or due to poor organizational climate; it can be used as an efficient use of time at work but it can also be excessively used when the employees are not monitored. The survey results show that there is a correlation between Internet addiction and misuse of the Internet in the workplace. Electronic monitoring has a strong impact on the abuse of the Internet. More electronic monitoring will decrease the abuse of the internet services in the workplace and vice versa. Organizational climate, relations in the working organization, the Internet policy and demographic factors do not affect the abuse of Internet services in the workplace.