Organizational Identification and Proactive Work Behaviour as Predictors of Cyber-loafing among Anambra State Civil Servants

Abstract

Cyber-loafing is a growing organizational vice with resource and productivity consequences.  Given its observed rise in public service in Nigeria; this study examined the organizational identification and proactive work behaviour as predictors of cyber-loafing among public sector employees in Anambra State. The study participants were 403 employees drawn from Anambra State civil service, Nigeria. The participants were 131 males and 272 females with a mean age of 39 years and standard deviation of 4.20. Cluster sampling was used to select participants Ministries whereas accidental sampling was utilized to select the participants from their respective ministries. Organizational identification scale, Proactive work behavior scale and Cyber-loafing questionnaire were instruments of data collection. Anchored on social exchange theory, the study utilized correlation design and hierarchical regression analysis as design and statistical tool for data analysis. The result indicated that positive and significant correlation was recorded between organizational identification and proactive work behaviour at r(1, 403) = .43*, p < .05; while  negative and significant correlation was recorded between organizational identification and cyber-loafing at r(1, 403) = -.37*, p < .05.  Also, negative and significant correlation was recorded between proactive work behaviour and cyber-loafing at r(1, 403) = -.56*, p < .05. Hierarchical regression analysis confirmed that both organizational identification and proactive work behaviour negatively and significantly predicted cyber-loafing at α = -.39*, p < .05 (n = 403) and α = -.48*, p < .05 (n = 403) respectively among civil servants in Anambra State. Organizations are adviced to improve on their social exchange among employees to engender for greater organizational identification and pro-activity to reduce cyber-loafing behaviours.