Typology of Cyberdeviance” defined cyberdeviance “as the intentional use of IT in the workplace that is contrary to the explicit and implicit norms of the organization, and that threatens the well-being of the organization and/or its members” (Srinivasan et al., 2018). 

Cyber technology has created many opportunities for workplace deviance. Data breaches and unauthorized access by employees can lead to stealing or exposing confidential intellectual property. Employees could share the insider information for their own personal gain or to possibly harm the business.

There are opportunities for employees to engage in cyberbullying and harassment through email and messaging apps. Disgruntled or recently let go employees can purposely sabotage a company by deliberately disrupting or damaging the computer system or network. 

A new term called cyberloafing is when employees take advantage of their internet access at work for personal use while pretending to do work. This can include surfing the internet, browsing social media, watching videos, and sending personal emails. Cyberloafing costs employers a lot of money for the loss of productivity. 

Overall, cyber technology has created more opportunities for workplace deviance. Companies should implement clear policies and consequences regarding workplace deviance. There should be regular auditing and training to help mitigate workplace deviance.

Srinivasan Venkatraman, Christy M. K. Cheung, Zach W. Y. Lee, Fred D. Davis & Viswanath Venkatesh (2018) The “Darth” Side of Technology Use: An Inductively Derived Typology of Cyberdeviance, Journal of Management Information Systems, 35:4, 1060-1091, DOI: 10.1080/07421222.2018.1523531