Social media use in professional organizations: boosting and draining workforce

Abstract

Social media use in professional organisations can have several psychological and physiological consequences. The aim of this study was to examine how social media is used in five professional organisations from distinct occupational fields and how such use relates to job demands, job resources, and personal resources. We collected survey data (N = 563) to analyze professional social media use. We also conducted theory-driven content analysis utilising focus group interviews (N = 52). Based on the results, internal and external social media platforms were mainly used for content following and sharing as well as communication with work communities. Social media use was not identified very straining or conflicting with private life. Those using social media more often experienced more strain and conflict but also considered social media more useful. Social media use was associated with job demands, such as physiological symptoms, fears, social pressure, and unclear rules, as well as job resources, such as organisational encouragement and support, social networks, information, and autonomy, and the personal resource of personal identity development. Professional social media use is perceived more as a job resource than as a job demand.

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