Deviant computer use at work: from bad to worse

In just the past twenty years personal computers have become indispensable in the workplace. However, the same versatility that makes the personal computer a mainstay at work also makes it an avenue for distraction and sabotage. This paper introduces the burgeoning research topic in industrial/organizational psychology known as Deviant Computer Use (DCU) and summarizes recent empirical studies of how employees use computers at work for activities that are not a part of their jobs. Policy makers should distinguish nonproductive use from counterproductive use, reflecting differences in employees' motivation and personality. Using this framework, preventative strategies can be made more effective and less dogmatic.