Karsten Johnson
How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace deviance?
The misuse of company resources and time through cyberspace is a significant opportunity for workplace deviance. During work hours, employees may engage in activities such as excessive personal internet browsing, social media usage, or online shopping. The ease of access to entertainment, social networking, and online shopping platforms can reduce productivity and divert resources away from professional tasks. Also, the misuse of communication tools, such as email and messaging applications, has become a common avenue for workplace deviance. Cyber technology allows employees to engage in inappropriate or offensive communication, cyberbullying, or the dissemination of unauthorized information. The virtual nature of these interactions can create challenges in monitoring and regulating such behaviors, making it easier for individuals to engage in deviant acts without immediate consequences. Cyber technology has also facilitated intellectual property theft and unauthorized access to sensitive information, posing significant risks to organizational security. Employees with malicious intent can exploit vulnerabilities in the digital infrastructure to engage in activities such as corporate espionage, data breaches, or the theft of proprietary information, leading to severe consequences for the affected organizations.