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Explaining social networking sites’ use continuance from employees’ perspectives

Bangaly Kaba (Faculty of Business, Athabasca University Faculty of Business, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

Journal of Systems and Information Technology

ISSN: 1328-7265

Article publication date: 17 August 2021

Issue publication date: 3 September 2021

221

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to better comprehend the psychological elements that drive the adoption of social networking sites (SNS). The paper attempts to explain the reasons why people sustainably use social networking websites in the workplace and how this happens.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey to collect data that was analyzed using structural equation modeling by applying the partial least squares technique.

Findings

The results indicated that SNS use continuance was due more to habit rather than established perceived and normative beliefs such as satisfaction and social norms.

Research limitations/implications

The authors recommend that the model in the study be tested in other technology environments to evaluate the external validity of the research study. The research was based on an unspecific platform, but each SNS may have its singularity that should merit further consideration.

Practical implications

Peers or coworker influences were noticeable in shaping one’s normative beliefs to continue using SNS in the organization. In this regard, it will be interesting to identify the mechanisms that raise the awareness of SNS in the employees’ social networks in the organization. Specifically, it will be an advantage to reach out to peers in promoting SNS use in the organization because they speak the same language as their fellow employees.

Originality/value

Despite several benefits related to SNS use in organizations, studies showed that most of these technologies are boycotted in the workplace. Although extensive studies are dedicated to understanding information and communication technology use continuance in general, this paper aims to inform both academicians interested in the use of enterprise SNS for business purposes and business actors concerned with growing SNS usage and retaining its users in their organizations. The paper will contribute to information systems continuance literature by integrating and extending two major theoretical frameworks.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful for the financial support from the research incentive grant of Athabasca University (AU). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AU. The author also acknowledges the contributions to the early draft of Mark Alpine and Andy Igonor, academic coaches at the Faculty of Business. Also, he thanks Dan Wilton, his research assistant, for the editorial work on several paper versions. Finally, he cannot be silent on the insightful contributions in enhancing the paper of the editor-in-chief, professor Raymond Chiong, and the two anonymous reviewers.

Citation

Kaba, B. (2021), "Explaining social networking sites’ use continuance from employees’ perspectives", Journal of Systems and Information Technology, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 171-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSIT-08-2020-0158

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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