Impact of Social Capital on the Intention of Job Seekers to Use Social Networking Websites (SNWs) for Searching Jobs

Abstract

This paper proposed a theoretical framework that will bridge a segment of the research-practice gap that exists in regard to the use of SNSs in recruitment. We modified Fang (2015) model to include the Professionalism and Credibility of SNW in a framework that explains how social capital affects the preference and Credibility of SNW. Cost factors (i.e., privacy concern) and benefit factors (i.e. perceived usefulness) are hypothesized to mediate the relationship between social capital factors (i.e., social information and social reference capital, and Professionalism) and preference and Credibility. To test our model, a survey of 200 valid questionnaires was conducted and 200 current profiles were collected from university students. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modeling. Results suggested, perceived usefulness has a positive influence on jobseekers’ use of job-seeking SNS, whereas social information capital, RJP and social reference capital positively affect users’ perceived usefulness and SNWs privacy moreover the social information capital of jobs has an insignificant impact on the user’s privacy concerns regarding SNWs Moreover, both cost and benefit factors seems to mediate the relationship positively and significantly. The study focuses on the need for individual users to enhance their professional and career success by using technologies such as social media.

Keywords: social networking sites, social information capital, job seekers, social reference capital, realistic job preview, credibility, perceived usefulness, SNWs privacy