Illuminating the Relationship Between Social Networking Usage and Job Performance Through the Work–Life Balance of Gen-Y Employees in Corporate Sector

Abstract

The use of social media, such as social networking sites continues to grow in everyday life, along with their use in the workplace. So, a concern raised about how the personal use of social networking sites like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc., at work affects employee job performance. Moreover, the purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between social networking usage and employee job performance through the mediating role of work–life balance. The quantitative methodology was employed in this study. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from a previously validated survey. The target population consisted of Gen-Y employees of the corporate sector in Chandigarh, Delhi, and Haryana (UTs/states) of India. Judgemental sampling was applied to collect data from 224 employees of the corporate sector. The study results indicated that time spent, frequency of using social networking sites has significant relationship with job performance and work–life balance of employees while work–life balance and employee job performance are significantly positively related. However, social networking use has a significant negative relationship with job performance and work–life balance. Additionally, work–life balance significantly mediates the relationship between social networking usage and job performance. Therefore, the study concluded that employees struggle to set boundaries since they cannot distinguish between work and family life due to the rise in technology and social media use. Therefore, managers and HR professionals need to consider the negative aspect of online social networking at work. Further, the implications for managers and organizations are discussed.