Professional Social Networking Sites Research Articles

The hustle is real: an examination of the self-related consequences of consuming idealized self-promotional content on LinkedIn

PurposeEveryday users of professional networks such as LinkedIn are flooded by posts presenting the achievements of their connections (e.g. I got a new job/award). The present research takes a self-discrepancy perspective to examine the mixed-emotional and behavioral consequences of viewing such idealized self-promotional content on professional networks.Design/methodology/approachThe emotional and behavioral consequences following viewership of idealized self-promotional content on LinkedIn are explored through one pilot study (N = 109) and one online experiment (N = 714), which is evaluated using structural equation modeling.FindingsViewership of idealized self-promotional content on professional social networking sites acts as an emotional double-edged sword for LinkedIn users. Users feel both dejection and symhedonia (i.e. happiness for others), dependent on their reported career-based self-discrepancy. We find the experience of symhedonia to be bound by the relational closeness of the poster (acquaintance vs close friend). Furthermore, we show how resultant emotions drive self-regulatory compensatory IT-use behaviors (i.e. direct resolution, fluid compensation, dissociation, and escapism).Originality/valueWe offer four distinct contributions. Firstly, we disentangle inconsistent findings of mixed emotions by introducing symhedonia to IT literature. Secondly, we investigate the boundary condition of relational closeness. Thirdly, we extend our findings by investigating compensatory-consumption behaviors that stem from mixed-affective outcomes. Finally, we do so in the context of professional networks, which are greatly understudied and are distinctive from personal networks. Practical implications are discussed.

Does LinkedIn cause imposter syndrome? An empirical examination of well‐being and consumption‐related effects

AbstractWe attend to the unexamined intersection between professional social network site (SNS) usage and imposter syndrome. Specifically, we provide the first examination of: do such sites cause imposter thoughts (“others think I am more competent than I think I am”); if so, why and when this happens, and what effect this has on well‐being and consumption‐related results. Supported by objective self‐focused attention theory and two online experiments, we show that professional SNS usage heightens professional self‐focused attention, triggering imposter thoughts. This results in negative emotions and consumption‐related effects. We further examine two boundary conditions, showing that effects are reduced for individuals high in narcissism or work centrality. From these findings, we extend the sociocognitive theorization of the imposter phenomenon by uncovering, first, context‐specific self‐focused attention as the reason “why” people feel imposter‐ish in particular circumstances and second, consumption‐related consequences. We further contribute imposter thoughts as a new alternative explanation for negative emotions experienced whilst using professional SNSs.

Introduction and roll-out of self-learning App for midwifery during the COVID-19 pandemic and its sustainability in Cambodia.

Similar to other countries, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted not only the ability of midwives to deliver high quality maternal care, but also their ability to access professional development opportunities, including in-service training in Cambodia. In response, we developed a Cambodian version of Safe Delivery App (SDA), aligned to Cambodia's clinical guidelines. The SDA is a free digital job aid and learning platform for skilled birth attendants developed by Maternity Foundation that works offline and is used in more than 40 countries after adapting to the country context. In the year and a half since its launch in June 2021, SDA has become established in Cambodia, with more than 3,000 people, accounting for nearly half the number of midwives in Cambodia, downloading and using it on their devices, and 285 people having completed its self-learning modules. The review of the introduction process revealed that publicity on the professional association's social networking sites, in-person in-depth hands-on training, and troubleshooting in a managed social networking group were useful in promoting the use of the application, and that the Continuing Professional Development Program accreditation has been a strong motivator for completing the self-study program. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased use of digital tools, but it is important to prevent the expansion of the digital divide when implementing new digital tools, including SDA.

Predictors of fairness assessment for social media screening in employee selection

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that determine the response of potential candidates to the screening of private (represented by Facebook) and professional (LinkedIn) social networking sites (SNS) for personnel selection purposes, and in particular to examine how SNS screening in the personnel selection process is perceived by innovative candidates. METHODOLOGY: The empirical data were obtained through an e-questionnaire survey among c. 150 young Polish Internet users in 2021. Multiple linear regression with backward elimination was used to determine the predictors of perceived justice of Facebook and LinkedIn screening in the selection process. FINDINGS: The results confirmed previous scientific findings that the perceived justice of Facebook cybervetting is significantly lower than for LinkedIn and the privacy invasiveness of Facebook screening was rated significantly higher than for LinkedIn. The results of linear regression with backward elimination indicated that among the assumed factors influencing the perceived justice of Facebook and LinkedIn screening in the selection process (i.e., privacy invasiveness, personal innovativeness, self-image management, risk aversion, ability to control a social networking site’s information, above average performance self-assessment, a general concern for internet privacy, and – in the case of LinkedIn – having an account on LinkedIn) the perceived privacy invasiveness is the best predictor of perceived justice of both private (Facebook), and professional (LinkedIn) social networking site screening for personnel selection purposes. Also, the candidate’s self-image management affects the perceived justice of both types of social media used as selection tools, whereas personal innovativeness increases the acceptance of private social media (Facebook) scanning for this purpose. IMPLICATIONS: This study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the perceived justice of ICT-based selection tools, and of social networking site screening for personnel selection purposes in particular. It expands the knowledge about the applicability of social networking site content analysis of Polish users, especially of innovative candidates. The paper also provides some practical recommendations to help organizations apply social media content analysis in a way that minimizes potential candidates’ perception of privacy invasiveness and increases their fairness perception. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: It is the first application of a cybervetting scale on a Polish sample that is advantageous in terms of comparability of data from different countries. We found that activities focused on creating one’s online image foster a higher acceptance of cybervetting that can diminish predictive validity of this type of selection practices.

Employees’ Views on the Use of Social Media Platforms at Work

Nowadays, no public or private organization in Bangladesh can function without the widespread adoption of social networking platforms. It has recently replaced in-person social interactions and communication. Most modern organizations provide their employees with affordable Internet connections by PC, laptop, and some other mobile devices, allowing them quick access to personal and professional social networking sites from both home and work. There are many advantages to using social networking sites at work, but there are also some negatives. An organizational policy on the use of social networking sites while on the job is a powerful management tool. This research aims to learn more about how employees are utilizing social media at work as well as the effects of this behaviour. The research hopes to help organizations implement policies that are mutually agreeable to employees and management. A total of 60 people from a variety of occupations participated in the survey. Some of the primary ideas given in this paper that can work for the organization without restricting the freedom of the employees are: providing proper direction; teaching and training employees about the security risks for the organization; enabling employees with time-based access; etc.
 
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Organizational attractiveness: Targeting prospective employers on social networking sites

BACKGROUND: Many business organizations have integrated the use of professional social networking sites into their HR practices in order to communicate with and attract qualified candidates as part of their talent acquisition strategy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to explore some social and behavioral signals on social networking sites that enhance organizational attractiveness. Grounded in the signaling theory, this paper fills the research gap by investigating new types of signals on public professional social networking sites that can affect organizational attractiveness as an employer. METHODS: In this research, a quantitative research methodology was used. The sample consists of 288 job applicants using social networking sites in Canada. RESULTS: The results highlighted the importance of social and behavioral factors that play a significant role in enhancing organizational attractiveness on professional social networking sites. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide insights and practical suggestions for managers who decide to integrate social networking sites into their practices. Additionally, the findings of this research help the managers to better understand the factors that have an impact on job applicants’ choices of their future job and employer.

The Discriminatory Potential of Modern Recruitment Trends-A Mixed-Method Study From Germany.

People from marginalized groups are often discriminated against in traditional recruitment processes. Yet as companies faced with skill shortages change their recruitment strategies, the question arises as to whether modern recruitment trends such as the use of professional social network sites, active sourcing, and recruitment assignment to external agencies are affected by implicit or explicit discrimination. In our mixed-method study, we first conducted expert interviews with different types of recruiters to explore the potential for discrimination in the modern recruitment process. We then analyzed panel data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in Germany to see whether there is quantitative evidence of discrimination in modern recruitment. A content analysis of the interviews shows that active sourcing and assignment of recruitment to private agencies are potentially affected by explicit discrimination. We identified three sources of discrimination in personnel selection: recruiters’ own attitudes, explicit instructions from managers, and the recruiters’ assumptions regarding companies’ preferred candidates. The results of mixed multilevel analyses with the company as a second level resonate with the qualitative findings: companies actively approach female employees, older employees, and employees who are born in Southern/Eastern Europe less often and offer women jobs less often. The effects for gender were still significant when we included far-right voting as a moderator variable on the employee level, but the interactions were not significant. Effects for gender and older people in active sourcing were also significant and robust when controlling for income, number of children, level of school completion, and educational background. Our findings suggest that current legislation may be insufficient to protect candidates who belong to marginalized groups from discrimination in modern recruitment.

Capturing a moving target: Interviewing fintech experts via LinkedIn

AbstractThis paper explores possible responses to some of the main challenges associated with conducting elite and expert interviews as part of qualitative research in human geography. Drawing on the example of the dynamic fintech industry, the paper outlines some similarities and differences between elite and expert interviews and uses this to identify and discuss possible responses. Against this backdrop, the paper also reflects on advantages and disadvantages of using the professional social networking site LinkedIn as a research aid for sampling and contacting interviewees as well as for interview preparation. The paper is anticipated to be of interest to those conducting qualitative research involving limited size sample subjects who are potentially difficult to find.

EFFECT OF PERSONAL BRANDING EFFORTS ON JOB PROSPECTS OF A LINKEDIN USER

In this article, the authors examined the relation between Personal Branding efforts in LinkedIn and their job prospects. While there are other social media sites which can be taken into consideration for the study, LinkedIn is deemed to be a purely professional social networking site with content relevant to jobs, industry, economy etc. The authors found that sizable LinkedIn users do not post, share or visit content with the intent of “Building Personal Brand”, however wishes to attract the attention of potential recruiters on the platform. While the term “Personal Branding has been discussed in numerous papers, journals and articles, broader clarity is guaranteed on the same. Additionally, it was duly noted that a person looking for a job doesn’t trust LinkedIn entirely and thus signs up on various other established job portals or seek suitable referrals at the same time.
 
 “Your brand has moved online. That means you need to translate who you are in the real world into a congruent bits-and-bytes version of you. First impressions are important to your career success, so whether they take place with a handshake or on a handheld device, you need to make sure yours is authentic, compelling, and relevant.”, said Mitch Joel in his book ‘Ctrl, Alt, Delete’. 
 
 “It is much more than a style of dress, a particular degree or credential, or the associations to which you belong. Mainly it is the unique “stamp” you put on everything you say or do. Because no one will do things and present themselves in exactly the same way that you do, your uniqueness is what people notice”- Annabelle Reitman and Caitlin Williams on Personal Branding in their periodical journal ‘Distinguish yourself and excel in the profession’.
 
 Author Neal Schaffer in his journal “LinkedIn or Left Out” shares his view on LinkedIn by stating- “It is much more than a style of dress, a particular degree or credential, or the associations to which you belong. Mainly it is the unique “stamp” you put on everything you say or do. Because no one will do things and present themselves in exactly the same way that you do, your uniqueness is what people notice.” 
 
 Further legal trainer Avery Black feels “The most effective way to start your job search is by developing relationships with people. The Internet, through professional websites like LinkedIn and social media sites like Face-book and Twitter, allows people to start a dialogue with each other.”
 
 The above quotes individually bring out the core pointers of this literature- “LinkedIn” and “Personal Branding” and “Job Search”. “Branding” which audiences still relate to tangible products have slowly seeped into individuals. Individuals are making informed decisions and suitable actions in order to attract the attention of a specific set of people which in this case are job recruiters.

Professional networking: Exploring differences between offline and online networking

Professional networking has mostly been researched in offline contexts. With professional social networking sites (SNS), such as LinkedIn or the German platform XING, professional networking can be extended to online contexts. Therefore, this study examines if people differ in the intensity of offline and online networking and if influence factors differentially predict offline and online networking. An exploratory online survey of working people (N = 326, Mage = 37 years, 56% women) revealed that mean values among the four different networking types did not differ significantly. However, people can be divided into four clusters of networkers (the minimal, the heavy, the mainly offline, and the mainly online networkers). When looking at influence factors, there is a positive association of people’s knowing about the benefits of networking and their networking intensity for all types of networking offline and online. Beyond that, the negative affective influence of anxiety towards unknown people on networking shows an interaction effect with networking type as it is stronger for offline networking than it is for online networking. The results indicate that professional social networking sites might help people with their networking pursuits by reducing negative emotions associated with networking, thereby contributing to a social compensation effect.

Examining the criterion-related validity evidence of LinkedIn profile elements in an applied sample

As social media use has grown over the past decade, both academics and practitioners have increasingly debated the appropriateness of using data from social networking sites in hiring contexts. Although the use of social media in recruitment and staffing processes has become commonplace, a corresponding increase in empirical investigations of this practice has not been achieved. Now more than ever, industrial-organizational (I–O) psychologists and data scientists are well positioned to offer evidence-based insights regarding this common practice. Despite being the most widely used professional social networking site, validity evidence of the relationship between LinkedIn profile elements and organizationally relevant criteria remains equivocal, and researchers have specifically called for more work on LinkedIn as the basis for social media assessments. Using a field sample of financial services professionals, the present study seeks to examine the criterion-related validity of LinkedIn incumbents' professional profiles (n = 486) using objective sales performance metrics. In addition to potential privacy and ethical concerns, and with few exceptions, the results largely suggest that LinkedIn profile characteristics are not strongly correlated with organizational metrics. Potential uses, recommendations, and limitations based on the criterion-related evidence are discussed herein.

When are Social Network Sites Connections with Coworkers Beneficial? The Roles of Age Difference and Preferences for Segmentation between Work and Life

Individuals are increasingly connected with their coworkers on personal and professional social network sites (SNS) (e.g., Facebook), with consequences for workplace relationships. Drawing on SNS research and on social identity and boundary management theory, we surveyed 202 employees and found that coworkers’ friendship acts (e.g., liking, commenting) were positively associated with closeness to coworkers when coworkers were similar in age to or older than the respondent and were positively associated with organizational citizenship behaviors towards coworkers (OCBI) when coworkers were similar in age. Conversely, harmful behaviors from coworkers (e.g., disparaging comments) were negatively associated with closeness when coworkers were older than the respondent, and with OCBI when coworkers were older than the respondent and coworkers’ friendship acts were high. Preferences for work-life segmentation moderated the relationship between coworkers’ friendship acts and OCBI (but not closeness) such that the positive relationship was stronger when the respondent had low (vs. high) preferences for segmentation. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of this study and propose an agenda for future research.

Avoiding the ask on social media: investigating how process-related factors influence SNS donation avoidance

PurposeThe domain of monetary donation is evolving with the combination of professional donation platforms and social network sites (SNSs) in the agency process, potentially enhancing information communication and facilitating money transfers between donors and recipients. However, SNS donation avoidance hinders the leveraging of significant economic and social values. To address the limited understanding of the phenomenon of SNS donation avoidance, this study aims to investigate the influencing factors of people's avoidance behavior in the agency process of SNS donation.Design/methodology/approachA model was devised containing four process-related factors (requests overload, process ambiguity, channel security concerns and perceived distributive injustice) as antecedents of SNS donation avoidance, with probable mediating paths of negative emotions, altruistic outcome expectation and egoistic outcome expectation. Data were collected through a survey of 398 users of WeChat Moment in China. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the proposed model.FindingsAll four process-related factors have positive associations with SNS donation avoidance. Requests overload, channel security concerns and perceived distributive injustice all positively influence people's expectation of negative emotions and lead, in turn, to their SNS donation avoidance. Perceived distributive injustice also leads to SNS donation avoidance via negatively influencing people's expectations of both altruistic and egoistic outcomes.Originality/valueTheoretically, this empirical study synthetically associates process-related factors to donation avoidance through the paths of emotional responses and rational outcome expectations. Practically, it emphasizes key factors to consider in the process management of SNS donation.

LinkedIn for Searching Better Job Opportunity: Passive Jobseekers’ Perceived Experience

LinkedIn is a famous online social networking platform for the jobholders, jobseekers and employers although their purposes vary. Passive jobseekers are those who already have jobs but are searching for better alternatives. In this paper, we tried to identify the passive jobseekers’ perceived experience towards LinkedIn as a job searching platform. We used Focused Group Discussion (FGD) method to unmask the perception of 150 respondents from Bangladesh and India who use LinkedIn as professional social networking site frequently. After summarizing the FGD results, it was revealed that LinkedIn is the most preferred source of job search tool among the passive job candidates in terms of all aspects such as information availability, accuracy, relevance, reliability, timeliness and cost effectiveness. In addition, the authors revealed that the participants did not care much about privacy, fairness and ethics on LinkedIn as a professional social networking site (SNS). We expect that the results of this qualitative study will be helpful as a groundwork for further research. We also hope that the results will aid the recruiters to efficiently attract competent passive candidates as well as the job seekers to utilize LinkedIn in finding better job opportunity.

The Impact of Students’ Human Capital Investment on Entrepreneurial Outcomes

This study examines how university courses in entrepreneurship are associated with long-term entrepreneurship outcomes. Drawing on human capital theory, I argue that entrepreneurship courses are helping to produce more entrepreneurship activity. I extend the view of entrepreneurship outcomes beyond just venture creation and include all professions with an entrepreneurial predisposition. By using publicly available data from the Internet and a professional social networking site I create unique dataset. Analyzing a sample of 2.531 university students between fall 2009 and spring 2018, I find evidence that entrepreneurship courses increase the probability for a participating individual to work in an entrepreneurial position or to start a business. Furthermore, while theoretical courses are higher associated with entrepreneurial job positions, practical courses increase the probability for venture creation. Interdisciplinarity in education I found also to be an influencing factor on entrepreneurship outcomes. I use a logistic regression model for my analysis. This study contributes to the understanding of the effect of entrepreneurship education at university level on long-term entrepreneurship outcomes. Given my new approach to the subject, this study should be seen as a preliminary study to investigate if the data collection method used is valid and I plan on extending in subsequent research.

Gender differences in faculty rank and subspecialty choice in academic medical oncology.

11013 Background: The gender gap in the United States healthcare field has been closing. In 2000 women made up 45% of medical school matriculants and by 2017 outnumbered men. Based on our personal observations at academic meetings, however, we hypothesized that gender differences persist in faculty rank and subspecialty choice in academic medical oncology. Methods: We created a database of medical oncologists at the top 15 cancer centers as ranked by the U.S News and World Report in 2019. We identified all medical oncology faculty in the subspecialty fields of breast, gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU) and thoracic oncology from institution websites (12/2019-1/2020). Faculty working only at satellite clinics (i.e. non-research appointments), and the few faculty in more than one subspecialty group, were excluded. Gender (determined by pictures), subspecialty and academic rank were recorded based on data from institution websites and professional social networking sites. Proportions of men and women in each subspecialty and at each faculty rank were calculated; odds ratios (OR) and χ2 tests were used for comparisons. Results: 346 men and 244 women were identified as subspecialty medical oncologists, comprising 59% and 41% of faculty members, respectively. Gender representation by subspecialty and academic rank are shown in the Table. Breast oncology had more women oncologists than men (OR 2.9, p < 0.001); GU oncology had fewer women (OR 0.3, p < 0.001). The representation of women and men was comparable at the lower academic ranks (instructor, assistant and associate professors). But at the top rank of full professor, only 31% were women (OR 0.54, p = 0.001). Notably, even in breast oncology, the one subspecialty with a greater proportion of women, women still comprised a lower proportion of full professors than men. Conclusions: Gender differences persist in academic medical oncology. At the top 15 US cancer centers, gender differences are seen in subspecialty representation, with more men in GU oncology and more women in breast oncology. Fewer women than men achieve the rank of full professor, even in breast oncology. Additional research is needed to explore the causes of, and contributors to, these differences as well as their impact. [Table: see text]

Show me your expertise before teaming up

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how communication practices influence individuals’ team assembly and performance in open innovation contests.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzed behavioral trace data of 4,651 teams and 19,317 participants from a leading open innovation platform, Kaggle. The analyses applied weighted least squares regression and weighted mediation analysis.FindingsSharing online profiles positively relates to a person’s performance and likelihood of becoming a leader in open innovation teams. Team assembly effectiveness (one’s ability to team up with high-performing teammates) mediates the relationship between online profile sharing and performance. Moreover, sharing personal websites has a stronger positive effect on performance and likelihood of becoming a team leader, compared to sharing links to professional social networking sites (e.g. LinkedIn).Research limitations/implicationsAs team collaboration becomes increasingly common in open innovation, participants’ sharing of their online profiles becomes an important variable predicting their success. This study extends prior research on virtual team collaboration by highlighting the role of communication practices that occur in the team pre-assembly stage, as an antecedent of team assembly. It also addresses a long-standing debate about the credibility of information online by showing that a narrative-based online profile format (e.g. a personal website) can be more powerful than a standardized format (e.g. LinkedIn).Practical implicationsOpen innovation organizers should encourage online profile sharing among participants to facilitate effective team assembly in order to improve innovation outcomes.Originality/valueThe current study highlights the importance of team assembly in open innovation, especially the role of sharing online profiles in this process. It connects two areas of research that are previously distant, one on team assembly and one on online profile sharing. It also adds new empirical evidence to the discussion about online information credibility.

How peers’ updates on social media influence job search

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which social media content via social contagion may affect the job behaviors of employed individuals. Specifically, by integrating the unfolding model of voluntary turnover and social comparison theory, this paper explores whether receiving an update about a peer’s career advancement on professional social networking sites (SNSs) increases an individual’s propensity to engage in job search.Design/methodology/approachIn this analysis, the authors matched individuals’ survey data (n=125) with information received from a recruiting agency on employees’ subsequent job search behavior (i.e., sending a resume to the agency).FindingsThe results indicate that the relationship between career advancement updates on SNSs and job search behavior was stronger for employees with higher perceived employability and, contrary to our hypothesis, for those more embedded within the organization.Practical implicationsMore employable and more embedded individuals perceive social cues from social media, and these cues positively relate to their job search behaviors. To address this trend, organizations could develop a social media strategy and implement retention measures to prevent the job search (and thus potential turnover) of employable and embedded individuals.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the job search literature by examining the role of professional SNSs in driving job search behavior among employed individuals.

Who is on LinkedIn? Self-selection into professional online networks

ABSTRACTWe analyze a large data set of fully employed individuals gathered through incentive-compatible surveys to study who joins professional social network sites (SNS) such as LinkedIn. We test the conflicting predictions that a) individuals who are unsatisfied with their career status adversely select into professional SNS in order to reap marginal online network benefits vs. b) high status individuals positively select into these networks because they are more likely to receive invitations to join. Our tests support b) and reject a). Similar estimations for private SNS (e.g., Facebook) reveal that the observed effects are specific to professional SNS and hence not driven by unobserved differences in social capital or the affinity to use social media. We also detect that environments conducive of professional social interactions increase the likelihood to use professional SNS. Controlling for sample selection bias does not qualitatively change the results.

The relation between use intensity of private and professional SNS, social comparison, self-esteem, and depressive tendencies in the light of self-regulation

ABSTRACTThe present study's (N = 145) aim was to introduce a multidimensional behavioural report for assessing activity on the professional social network site (SNS) XING and to carry out a comparison with private SNS use (i.e. Facebook). Psychometric analyses revealed good internal consistency and construct validity of the new XING Activity Questionnaire. Results suggest that private and professional SNS use is positively correlated to people's ability-related social comparison orientation (SCO) and depressive tendencies on the one hand and negatively correlated to self-esteem on the other hand. In addition, both people's general SCO and opinion-related SCO were solely positively correlated to Facebook use. The findings are in line with the Social Online-Self-Regulation-Theory suggesting that people are using not only private but also professional SNSs for self-regulation.