Cyberloafing and job burnout: An investigation in the knowledge-intensive sector

Abstract

Cyberloafing in the knowledge-intensive settings has hitherto remained an underexplored research terrain. This is despite that, among others, the implications of cyberloafing in the knowledge-intensive context are more costly to the employers as compared to other less-knowledge-intensive settings. The motivations, moderators and consequences of cyberloafing among knowledge workers appear to have multifarious differences and contextual nuances. One of the significant determinants and increasing vulnerabilities of the knowledge-intensive setting is job burnout. This paper particularly focuses on and studies the inter-relationship of job burnout and cyberloafing. The viewpoints of knowledge-workers at a cross-section of organizational levels have been studied through quantitative surveys. The findings show that both facets of cyberloafing (activities and behaviors) have significant impact on job burnout among knowledge workers. It is also proved that cyberloafing ‘behaviors’ is a stronger predictor of job burnout than cyberloafing ‘activities’.