THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-CONTROL AND CYBERLOAFING BEHAVIOR IN GENERATION Z EMPLOYEES IN YOGYAKARTA

Abstract

The increasing use of the internet in the workplace among Generation Z employees has raised the potential for cyberloafing behavior, which has become increasingly noticeable. This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-control and cyberloafing among Generation Z employees in Yogyakarta. It was hypothesized that self-control would have a negative relationship with cyberloafing, meaning that higher self-control would reduce the likelihood of cyberloafing, and vice versa. This study involved 127 Generation Z employees working in Yogyakarta using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using the Self-Control Scale and the EWCS Cyberloafing Scale and analyzed using Pearson product–moment correlation. The analysis showed a correlation coefficient of r = .382, p < .001, indicating a moderate positive relationship between self-control and cyberloafing. The effect size (r² = .146) suggests that self-control accounts for approximately 14.6% of the variance in cyberloafing behavior, indicating that other factors also play a significant role. These findings contradict the initial hypothesis predicting a negative relationship, highlighting the complexity of cyberloafing behavior among employees who are accustomed to using digital technology. This study contributes to a broader understanding of cyberloafing by showing that such behavior is not always triggered by low self-control but can also be influenced by work conditions, digital habits, and psychological adaptation needs. The research implications suggest that organizations should consider situational and organizational factors when addressing cyberloafing among Generation Z employees.