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Managing millennials’ personal use of technology at work

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  • Kim, Sungdoo

Abstract

Growing up with the internet and unparalleled access to technology, millennials (individuals born during 1981–1995, also known as Gen Y and Gen Me) extensively use various technologies for non-work-related reasons while at work. Both popular media and scholarly research have portrayed this issue negatively and have supported monitoring and restricting personal use of technology. However, if organizations are to attract and retain millennials—now the largest generation in the U.S. workforce—it is crucial to understand their characteristics and what drives them. Drawing on research on generational differences, organizational control, and cyberloafing, this article explains how unique characteristics of millennials lead them to engage in personal use of technology at work and how organizations might address this issue. Specifically, I contrast two one-sided approaches (deterrence and laissez-faire) that can lead to dysfunctional outcomes when used in excess and recommend more viable solutions. These solutions include establishing a workplace technology use policy based on shared understanding, fostering both relaxation and urgency mentalities, and training both millennials and their managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Sungdoo, 2018. "Managing millennials’ personal use of technology at work," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 261-270.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:61:y:2018:i:2:p:261-270
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2017.11.007
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    4. Simone Del Sarto & Michela Gnaldi, 2022. "Spare time use: profiles of Italian Millennials (beyond the media hype)," Statistical Methods & Applications, Springer;Società Italiana di Statistica, vol. 31(5), pages 1403-1428, December.
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    6. Margareta Nadanyiova & Lubica Gajanova & Jana Majerova, 2020. "Green Marketing as a Part of the Socially Responsible Brand’s Communication from the Aspect of Generational Stratification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-19, August.
    7. Kamal Badar & Karin Lasthuizen, 2023. "Twenty Years of Research on Millennials at Work : A Structural Review Using Bibliometric and Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-25, April.
    8. Chaojin Wu & Tangning Li, 2025. "Beyond Laziness: A Motivation-Behavior-Emotion Typology of Cyberslacking in Contemporary Chinese Workplaces," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(4), pages 21582440251, October.

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