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.