How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace -deviance?
Ever since the introduction to the cyber world and cyber technology, workplace deviance has become more and more prominent. Especially in current day work environments where the use of technology is growing more relevant, workplace deviance using cyber technology is almost common practice. Workplace deviance can be described as “voluntary behavior that violates significant organizational norms and in so doing threatens the well-being of an organization, its members, or both” (Oxford Dictionary).
The reason for this is quite simple, nefarious acts committed on the cyberspace are harder to track. Unlike robbing someone where a camera can pick up a face, there is no face or identifying feature that can track cyber attacks. There are digital footprints which can be traced but it’s much more difficult to manage and maintain the cyberfriend. An attack could take place and go unnoticed for months at a time because there is no initial damage done. The worst part is, anyone could commit an attack on the cyber space because of how easy it is to manipulate.
As such, workplace deviance is more prominent and apparent on the cyberworld. A good example of this would be white-collar cybercrimes, where people of higher status commit fraud or a cyber attack for monetary gain within or against a business. White-collar crime is extremely common, however, it easily goes unnoticed. Additionally, common employees who have access to a companies network or documents could alter or change the information within a company simply out of spite or anger for the company.
In conclusion, workplace deviance has seen an increase because of the easy access to technology. While technology is a raspatory of information and opportunities, it has its fair share of bad. Technology makes it easy for people to hack a business and find the information they so desire, but it’s also a place that does much good.