Stressed and scrolling: exploring techno-stress as a driver of cyberloafing in the workplace

Purpose The study aims to investigate the role of techno-stressors (techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity and techno-uncertainty) in inducing cyberloafing behaviour among employees. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey of 416 IT professionals in India has been conducted and analysed using structural equation modelling in AMOS v23. The study operationalised validated techno-stressors and cyberloafing scales and tested hypotheses grounded in the job demands-resources model and the transactional model of stress and coping. Findings All techno-stressors significantly lead to cyberloafing. Among them, techno-complexity emerged as the strongest driver, followed by techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-insecurity and techno-uncertainty. These findings underscore how specific techno-stressors uniquely contribute to counterproductive work behaviours in the digital workplace. Practical implications Organisations need to reduce techno-complexity through user-friendly tools and training, manage techno-overload via workload assessments and establish boundaries to curb techno-invasion. Transparent communication about technological changes and upskilling initiatives can alleviate insecurity and uncertainty, while stress-management programmes may help mitigate cyberloafing. Originality/value This study is among the first to empirically differentiate the impact of each techno-stressor on cyberloafing, particularly in the Indian IT sector. This study makes a novel contribution by integrating the job-demand resource model with the transactional stress and coping model to provide a theoretically enriched and contextually relevant explanation of how distinct techno-stressors drive cyberloafing behaviour.