Does Cyberloafing Affect Work Performance of the Civil Servants?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the operations of public sectors worldwide, compelling governments to impose nationwide lockdowns. This crisis prompted an immediate shift to Work from Home (WFH) policies for civil servants. Under this policy, work activities predominantly rely on information and communications technology (ICT). While ICTs have a positive impact on the efficiency of public service delivery, the use of technology and the internet has also introduced various adverse effects, such as cyberloafing and destructive behaviors. These negative influences on performance can ultimately impact service delivery. Against this background, this study aims to analyze the influence of cyberloafing on the work performance of civil servants during the WFH policy implementation. The study, for which 272 civil servants from diverse backgrounds were interviewed, reveals that development behavior significantly influences task performance and adaptive performance, while deviant behavior has a notable impact on all dimensions of work performance. These findings contribute to theoretical understanding, offer practical implications, and suggest directions for future research.