An investigation into cyberloafing among student-workers

Kofi Ayebi-Arthur; Vera Arhin; Dora Baaba Aidoo

doi:10.4314/just.v39i1,2.1238

Kofi Ayebi-Arthur University of Cape Coast
Vera Arhin University of Cape Coast
Dora Baaba Aidoo University of Cape Coast

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v39i1,2.1238

Keywords: Cyberloafing, instant messaging, student workers

Abstract

Despite the evidence that an increase in cyberloafing can be unfavourable to firms, workers commonly view cyberloafing to be a no-harm activity and believe it does not have a significant impact on performance in an organisation. This study sought to find out if cyberloafing activi-ties existed among student-workers in organisations in Ghana and how it affects their work. A descriptive survey design was employedfor the study. The study participants were student-workers enrolled in an MBA programme at a University in Ghana. Responses of286 sampledparticipants were usedfor the analyses. The data analysesfor the research questions made use ofmeans and standard deviation. Independence sample t-test was used to test the hypothesis. Results from the study showed that the most cyberloafing activity ofparticipants ofthe study was Instant messaging. The least cyberloafing activity ofparticipants of the study was Online games. The results also indicated that males do more cyberloafing than females although there was nostatistical difference be-tween the sexee. Conclusions drawn from this study have shown that cyberloafing is generally widespread at the office. Organisations need to orient and educate staffon the negative effects ofcyberloafing in order not to waste the company'sproductive time.

Author Biographies

Kofi Ayebi-Arthur , University of Cape Coast

Dr Kofi Ayebi-Arthur is a graduate of the Hunan University, China and University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Maths & ICT Education, College of Education Studies of the University of Cape Coast. His areas of specialisations are in the fields of Curriculum issues in Computer Science education, Digital Technologies and E-learning. E-mail: kofiayebi@ucc.edu.gh

Vera Arhin, University of Cape Coast

Dr Vera Arhin is a graduate of the Universities of Cape Coast, Ghana, and Kenyatta University, Kenya. She is a Senior Lecturer at the College of Distance Education of the University of Cape Coast. Her areas of specialisations are in the fields of Educational Psychology and Guidance and Counselling. E-mail: varhin@ucc.edu.gh

Dora Baaba Aidoo, University of Cape Coast

Dr Dora Baaba Aidoo is a graduate of the Universities of Cape Coast, Ghana, and University of Bath, UK. She is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration, UNESCO, Category II Centre of Excellence for West Africa, Ghana. Her area of specialisations are Disability issues and Educational Management. E-mail: daidoo@ucc.edu.gh