Exploring New Technology-Based Employee Deviant Work Behaviors

Published academic research on deviant work behavior (DWB) has generally fallen behind on incorporating technology, along with newer work generations and alternative work environments. In this study, a revised construct of DWB, i.e., technology-based deviant work behavior is defined (TbDWB), and a new 18-item TbDWB measure with three related but distinct and reliable scales is offered: Tb Time Abuse Deviance (3 items), Tb Communication Deviance (4 items), and Tb Production Deviance (11 items). Using an anonymous self-report online survey, supportive reliability and validity data for these three scales is found using two separate split complete-data samples (Sample 1, n = 643, Sample 2, n = 585). Data integrity checks resulted in the loss of 30% of the overall sample. Some support was also found for the discriminant validity of these scales from the Robinson and Bennett (2000) Interpersonal Deviance and Organizational Deviance scales, comparing the samples across three generations (Generations Z, Y, X) as well as work environments (remote, hybrid, in-person). A promising new TbDWB measure, more broadly incorporating the role of technology in the workplace, is offered to further DWB research.