The Dark Triad and cyberloafing: unveiling the shadowy nexus

Purpose Cyberloafing has emerged as a significant phenomenon in the modern workplace, largely driven by shifts in work dynamics. Recent discussions suggest that Dark Triad traits may play a critical role in influencing cyberloafing behaviors; however, research exploring these traits in the context of cyberloafing remains limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the complex relationship between the Dark Triad personality traits – psychopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissism – and cyberloafing. Additionally, this study examines four other psychological variables and two demographic factors as potential correlates of cyberloafing. Design/methodology/approach The survey sample consisted of 155 working adults from the USA who participated via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). All participants were required to be full-time employees (working 35 or more hours per week) and hold MTurk Master qualifications. Findings The findings of this study provide credible support for the research hypotheses. While not all Dark Triad traits are linked to cyberloafing, the influence of certain traits is significant enough to draw meaningful conclusions. Specifically, the results of this study showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were associated with both forms of cyberloafing: browsing activities and emailing activities. However, narcissism was not related to any form of cyberloafing. Additionally, pay satisfaction and social media addiction were positively related to both forms of cyberloafing, while age was negatively related. Research limitations/implications This paper addresses several limitations, suggests avenues for future research and outlines practical implications for organizations aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of cyberloafing. Originality/value Cyberloafing – engaging in non-work-related online activities during work hours – has gained increasing attention because of its potential to disrupt productivity and organizational functioning. However, limited research has explored this important behavior in depth. Building on contemporary studies, this study investigates the underlying mechanisms and potential implications of how Dark Triad traits may either encourage or mitigate cyberloafing.