New rules in the workplace: Applying object-relations theory to explain problem Internet and email behaviour in the workplace

Abstract

While the Internet and email can be great assets to an organisation, especially in respect to creating new knowledge, nonetheless a number of problems have accompanied the introduction of the Internet into the workplace. Some of these problems include: _cyberslacking_, cyber-harassment and _Netiquette_. Employers have attempted to obviate these problems by developing Internet usage policies, implementing filtering software and monitoring their workers. It has also been suggested that psychological tests could assist employers in identifying potentially _problem_ employees. Although each of these methods have their uses, none of them have been successful in dealing with such problems. We argue that if we are better able to conceptualise cyberspace and the relationship workers have with this space, then we may be able to develop more effective solutions to deal with these new problems in the workplace. This paper attempts to do just that, by drawing upon object-relations theories, developed by Winnicott, Bollas and Klein. We also draw upon Serres_ work on quasi-objects. We believe that cyberspace is a unique and important tool for organisations to utilise, but if not understood well, the existing problems that have already emerged, and those yet to emerge, will continue to be ineffectively addressed.

Netiquette within married couples: Agreement about acceptable online behavior and surveillance between partners

“…The little research that has been conducted on netiquette has, in the main, focused on work relationships. For instance, Whitty and Carr (2006b) examined the types of emails that workers deemed appropriate to send and receive in the workplace. However, at present, we know little about the rules that couples negotiate with regards to online communication.…”

Online flow experiences, problematic Internet use and Internet procrastination

“…the World-Wide Web, email, and other associated online 33 applications) for personal purposes while at work is said to cost organisations large 34 amounts of time and money (Mahatanankoon, Anandarajan, & Igbaria, 2004). Most 35 researchers have labelled the personal use of the Internet at work as deviant, using terms 36 such as Internet abuse in the workplace (Anandarajan, 2002), problematic Internet use 37 (Davis, Flett, & Besser, 2002), cyberloafing (Lim, 2002), and even Internet addiction fiths, 2003a; Young & Case, 2004).…”

Uso Pessoal das Tecnologias no Trabalho: Motivadores e Efeitos à Distração Profissional

“…Embora se espere que o ambiente de trabalho propicie interação social para tratativas de assuntos pertinentes aos negócios, contribua na resolução dos problemas cotidianos e seja um local de concentração coletiva dos colaboradores aplicada às demandas organizacionais, o Uso Pessoal de Tecnologias durante as atividades profissionais pode comprometer as finalizações das demandas existentes. O foco do usuário deixa de ser o zelo nas atividades organizacionais e sua atenção pode ficar imersa nos conteúdos e nas interações sociais estabelecidas por meio dos aplicativos digitais Whitty & Carr, 2006 Outro aspecto que envolve a dependência compulsiva do uso de tecnologias trata da perda de controle sobre o impulso de uso da TI, definida como um sentimento individual obsessivo que torna o usuário incapaz de reduzir a utilização das tecnologias, apesar do desejo de maior controle sobre o uso dos aplicativos ser latente nos seus processos cognitivos . Sabe-se que usuários compulsivos de TI que apresentam o controle do impulso reduzido sobre a utilização das aplicações tendem a diminuir, subjetivamente, as prioridades para execução de outras atividades, inclusive profissionais, além da busca preferencial do acesso imediato aos meios digitais (Huang & Leung, 2009;Shikiar et al, 2004).…”

“…Por exemplo, pode dedicar-se à cibervadiagem, definida como a utilização indevida dos recursos tecnológicos para fins privados durante o horário de expediente (Greenfield & Davis, 2002;Whitty & Carr, 2006), ou a sua distração por meios digitais. Assim, elaboram-se as seguintes hipóteses: …”