Carl J. Case

Internet abuse in the workplace: new trends in risk management.

This paper empirically examines the effectiveness of emergent risk management practices that attempt to reduce and control employee Internet abuse and its potential for addiction. Over a 6-month period, 50 usable web-administered surveys were collected. Respondents ranged from human resource managers to company presidents. Data were stored in a database management system and analyzed utilizing statistical measures. Implementation levels of Internet use policies, management training, and clinical rehabilitation were examined and their level of perceived effectiveness to deter employee Internet abuse was evaluated. Organizational size and its impact on perceived effectiveness were also examined. This research will assist organizations in implementing effective corporate initiatives to improve employee Internet management practices. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are also explored.

Employee Internet Management: Current Business Practices and Outcomes

This paper empirically examines emergent business practices that attempt to reduce and control employee Internet misuse and abuse. Over a 6-month period, 52 web-administered surveys were collected. Respondents ranged from human resource managers to company presidents. Data were stored in a database management system and analyzed utilizing statistical measures. Monitoring efforts and policy development issues are examined against critical incidents of employee Internet abuse. The analysis also includes a rank ordering of the types of Internet applications that were perceived as most problematic or abused. Types of applications abused include electronic mail, adult web sites, online gaming, chat rooms, stock trading, and so on. Moreover, company size and years online are examined. Overall, this research will assist organizations in implementing effective corporate initiatives to improve employee Internet management practices.

Electronic Mail Dysfunction: A Reality Check

Computer-mediated communication systems, including electronic mail, are systems that businesses employ to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and communication within the organization. As use of these systems proliferate, it is crucial that the communication systems have a positive, rather than negative impact, on the organization. Negative behavior could include flaming and personal use of the electronic mail system. Much of prior research has examined the use of electronic mail in academic settings. Results indicate that flaming and personal use have a relative high incidence. However, is electronic mail dysfunction a consistent reality for both academia and the business world? This case study empirically examines the role of electronic messaging in business firms. Specifically, this research investigates the usage of inter-organizational electronic messaging in intermediate-size firms. Electronic mail messages were analyzed in a three-site case study. Results indicate that dysfunctional electronic mail uses such as personal use and flaming have minimal incidence in a business environment. Implications relate to organizational professionalism and the use of students as electronic mail research subjects.