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Happy, and they know it? The roles of positive affectivity, intrinsic motivation and network building on LinkedIn on employment predictions

Jennifer A. Harrison (Département RH et Organisation, Métis Lab, EM Normandie Business School, Le Havre, France)
Michael Halinski (Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada)
Laxmikant Manroop (College of Business, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA)

Career Development International

ISSN: 1362-0436

Article publication date: 3 October 2024

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Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on trait activation theory, this study examines the influence of positive affectivity on employment predictions (e.g. the probability of obtaining an interview and being hired) via intrinsic motivation and network building on LinkedIn.

Design/methodology/approach

Multisource field data were collected from student job seekers (n = 179) searching for an internship over two points with a six-month time separation between the first and second data collection.

Findings

Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses revealed marginal support for the mediating roles of intrinsic motivation and network building in positive affectivity’s indirect effect on employment predictions about the probability of obtaining an interview and being hired.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends research on job search networking/selection by demonstrating the sequential process through which job seekers’ positive affectivity influences employment predictions, emphasizing the intermediary roles of intrinsic motivation and network building on LinkedIn.

Practical implications

Job seekers, recruiters and career counselors should consider network building on LinkedIn as a relevant expression of positive affectivity.

Originality/value

We apply trait activation theory as an overarching framework to examine how an affective between-person difference is expressed via intrinsic motivation and network building and is, at the same time, perceived and valued by employers on LinkedIn.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) 430-2018-00187.

Citation

Harrison, J.A., Halinski, M. and Manroop, L. (2024), "Happy, and they know it? The roles of positive affectivity, intrinsic motivation and network building on LinkedIn on employment predictions", Career Development International, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-10-2023-0367

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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