Internet Job Search and Labor Market Outcome

The Role of Online Discussion Forums in Newcomers' Labour Market Integration in Canada

“…Newcomers also typically lack knowledge of local informational environment (e.g., where and how to seek information) and the means to get it (e.g., local social networks ties) (Turchick Hakak et al, 2010, Turchick Hakak andAl Ariss, 2013). Knowledge of the informational environment is critical for successful integration of newcomers in the destination country's labour market (Caidi et al, 2010;Krause and Liebig, 2011;Shahiri and Osman, 2015;Turchick Hakak and Al Ariss, 2013;Wang and Sangalang, 2005).…”

“…Newcomers typically need to function in a foreign new environment detached from longstanding social relationships and family and friends who stayed behind in the home country (Caidi and Allard, 2005;Fang et al, 2013;Khoir et al, 2015;Turchick Hakak et al, 2010). However, in the last two decades, the Internet is becoming increasingly accessible and available and more and more newcomers are turning to various internet technologies (e.g., online search websites, online discussion forums, social media) to seek needed information (Ahmed and Veronis, 2017;Du and Haines, 2017;Fang et al, 2013;Feldman and Klaas, 2002;Fountain, 2005;Khoir et al, 2015;Shahiri and Osman, 2015;Yoon, 2017). Searching information in traditional ways (e.g., visiting employment agencies, libraries, reading print) is costly and the information is not always accessible or timely (e.g., agencies are typically open Monday to Friday only, newspapers with job postings are typically printed weekly and have limited number of jobs, and employers have also shifted their recruitment to online).…”

“…Business research relating to the Internet and labour market integration has been predominantly concerned with studying job search outcomes. For example, research has shown that individuals who use the Internet for employment information search typically experience better employment outcomes and shorter unemployment duration than comparable individuals who searched offline only (Beard et al, 2012;Kuhn and Mansour, 2014;Skuterud, 2000, 2005;Shahiri and Osman, 2015;Suvankulov et al, 2012).…”

“…A study examining German and South Korean job seekers (Suvankulov et al, 2012) found that individuals who used the Internet for job search found employment sooner (in both countries) and they had a higher probability of being re-employed (7.1% higher in Germany and 12.7% in South Korea) in the next 12 months. Research has also established that individuals who use the Internet for job search have a greater chance to find employment, are less likely to cease their job search, and are more likely to find employment sooner than individuals who only use traditional job search methods (e.g., newspaper job listing) (Beard et al, 2012;Feldman and Klaas, 2002;Fountain, 2005;Kuhn and Mansour, 2014;Skuterud, 2000, 2005;Shahiri and Osman, 2015;Stevenson, 2009;Suvankulov et al, 2012). For instance, unemployed individuals who seek work online are about 50% less likely to cease their job search and find employment about 25% faster than comparable individuals who do not seek work online (Beard et al, 2012;Kuhn and Mansour, 2014).…”

“…), and they may look at online discussion forums for the how-to information (i.e., how to go about searching for and getting a job?) (Du and Haines, 2017;Fang et al, 2013;Janta and Ladkin, 2013;Khoir et al, 2015;Kim and Yoon, 2012;Shahiri and Osman, 2015;Yoon, 2017). This study examines online discussion forums technology because the 'how-to'…”