Job autonomy and cyberloafing: a mediated moderation model of work engagement and mindfulness

PurposeTo investigate the mediating role of work engagement (WE) between job autonomy and cyberloafing and the moderating effect of mindfulness on the linkage between work engagement and cyberloafing.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted using an online questionnaire survey. Data were gathered from 266 full-time working professionals in India. Hierarchical regression analysis and, SPSS PROCESS version 4.0 (model 14) were employed to analyze the mediated moderation effect.FindingsResults showed that job autonomy reduced cyberloafing of employees through WE and the mediation effect was stronger when employees were high on mindfulness.Research limitations/implicationsResults indicate that job autonomy and mindfulness have a considerable impact on employee cyberloafing behavior. Organizations seeking to reduce employee cyberloafing behavior could benefit by considering job autonomy as well as supporting employee mindfulness.Originality/value This study adds to the understanding of cyberloafing antecedents particularly, the role of job autonomy and WE. Additionally, it examines how mindfulness self-regulates with regard to cyberloafing and contributes to the growing body of mindfulness research and its impact on counterproductive behavior at work.