Employee Internet Management: Current Business Practices and Outcomes

Abstract

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.