E-recruitment: the effectiveness of the internet as a recruitment source

The present study has made a comparative assessment of recruitment source effectiveness. The study is based on the pre-hire measures of the quantity and quality of applicants, with a specific focus on e-recruitment. A nine year longitudinal study was employed over a period of pre-internet and post-internet use by a large organisation which enabled the exploration of changes in applicant data. Recruitment source effects were assessed through two perspectives: applicant and organisational. The relationship between source and applicant was explored in terms of key job and organisational attributes communicated to attract quality applicants, and their subsequent intention to pursue the job. The research was designed with two studies to capture the two perspectives. Applicant perspectives were assessed through the distribution of a survey to real applicants of the organisation. Organisational perspectives were captured through interviews with Human Resource Practitioners of eight mid- to large-size organisations. Results indicated that the quality of applicants generated by e-recruitment is equivalent to or less than that of other sources, therefore it is not the most effective recruitment source. Furthermore, recruitment sources had some effect on applicant intentions to pursue the job, but this relationship was not mediated by applicant perspectives. In terms of source information, job attributes were considered more important than organisational attributes in attracting quality applicants from both perspectives. Overall, the research has provided evidence to support the need for organisations to develop a recruitment strategy which incorporates a diverse range of sources to reach quality applicants in the desired target market