۱- Introduction

۲- Theory

۳- Methods

۴- Results

۵- Discussion

۶- Conclusion

References

Abstract

Based on Regulatory Focus theory (Higgins, 1997), we extend existing findings to empirically investigate how regulatory focus and political skill are related within a social media context. Though social media is commonly used in the workplace, it has not yet been studied in relation to the competing paths of regulatory focus (prevention and promotion) and political skill. Our sample included 312 full-time employees. We found a negative path from prevention-focus through political skill dis-incentivizes social media use for enhancement of work mood and work network. A positive path from promotion-focus through political skill incentivizes employees to engage in social media use for enhancement of work mood and work network. Implications and opportunities for future research are discussed.

Introduction

Social media has been defined as “computer-mediated tools that allow people, companies and other organizations to create, share, or exchange information, career interests, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks” (Social media, 2016). This intentionally broad definition accommodates present and future social media technologies which is important in this dynamically growing field. Though originally introduced as a social tool largely confined to use in one’s private life, social media has started to infiltrate work relationships, with colleagues friending and following each other’s social media profiles, job seekers using social media to aid their job searches, and organizations using social media to engage internal and external audiences. As social media use bleeds into the workplace and creates a blurred boundary between the work and personal realms, it is becoming important to understand social media use related to the workplace. Sixty five percent of American adults now use social media (Perrin, 2015). Although some studies suggest that time spent on the top four US-based social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat) is down across the globe (Tuchinsky, 2016), the numbers of active users on sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Line are still growing, with recent reports indicating approximately 1.65 billion monthly active users of Facebook alone (Wikepedia, 2016a). Workplace impacts of this use remain uncertain (Weiser, 2004). Some estimate that Facebook use shaves 1.5% off office productivity, and that British companies alone lose an estimated $2.2 billion per year to social networking (Koerner, 2010).