A1 Journal article (refereed)
What's in it for me and you? : Exploring managerial perceptions of employees' work-related social media use (2022)

Pekkala, K., Auvinen, T., Sajasalo, P., & Valentini, C. (2022). What's in it for me and you? : Exploring managerial perceptions of employees' work-related social media use. Employee Relations, 44(7), 46-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/er-12-2020-0518

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Pekkala, Kaisa; Auvinen, Tommi; Sajasalo, Pasi; Valentini, Chiara

Journal or series: Employee Relations

ISSN: 0142-5455

eISSN: 1758-7069

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 15/03/2022

Volume: 44

Issue number: 7

Pages range: 46-62

Publisher: Emerald

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/er-12-2020-0518

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80265

Abstract

Purpose -- This study focuses on managers' perceptions of employees' communicative role in social media, and explores the changes in the contractual nature of employment relations in mediatized workplaces in which the boundaries of professional and private life are becoming more fluid. -- Design/methodology/approach -- A qualitative approach was employed to explore this relatively new phenomenon. The data, comprising 24 interviews with managers responsible for corporate communication and human resources in knowledge-intensive organizations, was thematically analysed. -- Findings -- The analysis shows that employees' work-related social media use creates new types of exchanges and dependencies between an organization and individual employees, which relate to employees' representation, knowledge and networks. -- Originality/value -- The study is among the first to examine the exchanges and dependencies in an employment relationship that emerge from increased use of social media for professional purposes.

Keywords: organisational communication and public relations; external communication; employees; managers and executives; social media; knowledge work; labour market relationships; communication psychology

Free keywords: social media; psychological contract; knowledge work; employment relationship; employees' communication behaviour

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1