The Emergence of Social Media as an antecedent of Employability: A PLS-SEM Approach

Purpose : This study intended to investigate the influence of social media on the perceived employability of students, with a special emphasis on the use of social networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Other independent variables of this study are the contacts of students, which can help them find and attain the desired job.

Methodology : Using descriptive research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a 7-point Likert scale from 339 management students. The psychometric properties of instruments were determined through validity and reliability. Furthermore, structural assessments were conducted using hypothesis testing, model fit estimates, and predictive relevance (r - square).

Findings : The results showed a positive and significant influence of SNS and contacts on the perceived employability of students. SNS and contacts were found to create a variance of 33% in perceived employability. Moreover, the reliability and validity of the adapted instrument were well established, supporting its use and application in the Indian context.

Practical Implications : The theoretical implication of this study is for social capital theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. The implications of this study are meant for management students, higher education institutes, career educationalists, and policymakers.

Originality : The novelty of this research lies in the fact that it aims at capturing the perception of Indian students regarding the usage of SNS for employability.