Spillover effects of side-hustle time pressure on cyberloafing within full-time jobs in the hospitality industry

Drawing on regulatory focus theory, this research examines how side-hustle time pressure spills over to affect cyberloafing in hospitality employees’ full-time jobs. Through a field experiment, a scenario experiment, and a three-wave field survey, we develop and test a dual-pathway model. Findings reveal that side-hustle time pressure simultaneously triggers two opposing mechanisms. It fosters promotion-focused hope (decreasing cyberloafing) while also eliciting prevention-focused affective rumination (increasing cyberloafing). Time-management skills emerge as a moderator, amplifying the hope pathway for skilled individuals while intensifying the rumination pathway for those less skilled. This study advances the understanding of side hustles and time pressure in the hospitality field. It also offers actionable insights for hospitality managers and platform designers seeking to reduce the negative spillover of side-hustle time pressure. • Side-hustle time pressure boosts job cyberloafing via hope and affective rumination; time-management skills moderate it.