From slack to strength: Examining ESNs impact on mental toughness and cyberslacking in the workplace

Abstract

The increasing reliance on information technology has generated concerns regarding employees' engagement in cyberslacking behavior. However, an existing research void exists concerning effective non-invasive strategies to mitigate this behavior. Our study draws from self-determination theory (SDT) to propose a framework aimed at augmenting employee mental toughness (MT) through the utilization of enterprise social networking (ESN) tools, with the ultimate objective of reducing cyberslacking behavior. Our research aims to examine the intricate relationship between ESN usage and the cultivation of employee MT. We particularly emphasize how this bolstered MT subsequently influences the mitigation of cyberslacking behavior. Furthermore, we incorporate information processing theory (IPT) into our investigation to scrutinize the moderating roles played by communication quality and frequency in shaping the effects of ESN on both MT and cyberslacking behavior. By conducting a multi-wave data collection initiative, we find that the strategic deployment of ESNs indeed contributes to the augmentation of employee MT, consequently leading to a reduction in their proclivity for cyberslacking behavior. Nonetheless, our study brought to light an intriguing and counterintuitive moderating effect linked to communication quality. We elucidate this phenomenon in-depth and offer nuanced insights into its implications for the intricate dynamics of ESN utilization within organizational settings.