Influence of structural factors on employee cloud shadow IT usage during COVID-19 lockdown: a strain theory perspective

Cloud shadow information technology (SIT) usage is a deviant behavior among employees evidenced in the initiation and completion of official tasks using unauthorized cloud information technologies (IT), thereby leading to financial and non-financial losses such as data breaches and information system (IS) compromises. The increased dependence on cloud IS motivated by the coronavirus-19 lockdown has caused a surge in SIT usage. The need for remote work has increased the usage of cloud office-assisted tools, teleconferencing tools, cloud storage systems, and several cloud-based means of completing office tasks. Structural imbalances in official cloud IS structures have therefore, caused increased SIT usage. This study extended the strain theory by inculcating two structural factors (work pressure and work overload). Five hypotheses were postulated based on the model, which was empirically tested using quantitative research techniques. A survey method of data collection was employed, and questionnaires were distributed to employees in Nigeria. SPSS was used for demographic analysis, and structural equation modeling was completed using SmartPLS. Results showed that work overload and work pressure each directly influence employee cognitive strain. While work overload and cognitive strain significantly impact employee cloud SIT usage, work pressure is insignificant. This study will assist organizations in restructuring IT systems that will reduce exhaustion and discourage their usage of the authorized cloud IT system. This will assist organization IS in reducing losses such as high job turnover and loss of customer information.