The use of social networks in recruiting processes from a firms perspective

"Sociological as well as economic research is interested in the role of social net-works in staffing processes. Empirical studies usually consider them as relevant from the job seekers' point of view. But there is only little knowledge of firms' perspective on this issue. This paper contributes to decrease this research gap with results on base of representative data from the German Job Vacancy Survey for the years 2004 until 2008 with up to 9000 participating firms yearly. It is the goal of this paper, to characterize and structure firms that use social networks in staffing processes, using information not only about the firm itself, but also about the position that has been filled. The results show a tendency that networks help to reduce search costs and are especially useful in difficult economic situations. The positions filled via networks are more likely to be stable positions either in a very high labour market segment or in a very low one with rather difficult working conditions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))