Employees’ use of social networking sites and job performance

Abstract This study was designed to explore the purpose to which employees use social networking sites and examine its effect on their performance. Using data from 203 respondents, exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify the specific activities employees undertake using social networking sites during work hours. Moreover, multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effects of each social networking site activities, total time spent by employees on social networking sites and the number of social networking site accounts on their job performance. Six dimensions of social networking sites use at work were identified: Social networking sites use for work related activities, social networking sites use for commenting and status updating, social networking sites use for social interaction, social networking sites use for self-expression, social networking sites use for entertainment and social networking sites use for political activities. Moreover, results revealed that the total time spent on social networking sites, social networking sites use for political activities and entertainment negatively affected employees’ job performance while Social networking sites use for work and socialization were found to positively affect employees’ job performance. No significant relationship was found between job performance and social networking sites use for self-presentation and status updating.