Evolving Attitudes Toward the Personal Use of Technology While at Work

Since the advent of the consumer internet and later the smartphone, the lines between “work time” and “personal time” have eroded. Employees increasingly have access to technology that facilitates the performance of personal activities while in the workplace. This study examines changes in attitudes towards using technology for personal gain while at work. The study uses a longitudinal data set of survey data collected from 2013 to 2018. This paper finds that attitudes have become more permissive over time when it comes to using technology for personal productivity and for obtaining information not related to work. In contrast, this research also finds that attitudes towards using technology for relaxation and entertainment while at work have become less permissive.