Abstract II II

The Power of Social Networking Sites in the context of Online Recruitment

The Power of Social NetworkingSites

in the context of Online Recruitment

A thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the requirementsfor the award of BA Honours Management

Author:

Adeel Qurashi

Supervisor:

Mr Bill Sutherland

Date:

of April2009

Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen Business School

Garthdee RoadAberdeenAB10 7QETel: + 44 1224 262000Web: www.rgu.ac.uk

Abstract III III

The Power of Social Networking Sites in the context of Online Recruitment

Abstract

Social Networking Sites are experiencing a rapid growth; there seems to be no limit totheir size. Many Social Networking Sites boast with millions of members using theirnetworks on regular basis to communicate, share, create, and collaborate with others.Popular examples of these Social Networking Sites are Facebook, LinkedIn and Bebo.Although most of these sites lack decent business models, they are valued at millionsof pounds

. Google paid 1.5 billion dollar for YouTube when it wasn’t even earning a

single penny.The reason successful Social Networking Sites have become so valuable is due to theamount of people that are using it; and people are exactly what organisations areafter. This report aims to find out whether Social Networking Sites have the samevalue in the context of recruitment. Academic literature extensively discusses onlinerecruitment, however not much is said about recruitment on Social Networking Sites:

‘Sociocruitment’.

Research revealed that professionals are quite optimistic about Sociocruitment.Although users of Social Networking Sites had a disperse opinion on organisationscontacting them on these websites; not many were negative.The contemporary research furthermore harvested information from a range of sources to create understanding of key issues allowing readers to familiarisethemselves with the concept. Finally the report makes suggestions on howorganisations can engage in this new media.