Privacy in Social Media Friendships With Direct Supervisors: A Psychological Contract Perspective

Abstract

Social media in modern companies can connect workers with their supervisors in myriad ways via multiple platforms. This study analyzes the perceived relationships between workers and their supervisors using the theoretical framework of psychological contract violation (PCV). The role of social media in the workplace in terms of privacy and trust between workers and their supervisors and workers’ organizational commitment was analyzed. Demographic information, communication channels (platforms), and the source of the social media relationship request were also considered. An online survey of full- and part-time employees yielded a diverse sample of 327 participants. This social media privacy research is consistent with previous literature on e-mail privacy. Both social media privacy and PCV influenced perceptions of (supervisor) trust. Additionally, PCV and trust influenced perceptions of affective organizational commitment. Implications of the results are discussed.

Social media efficacy and workplace relationships

“…Researchers should not simply assume that workers' privacy-related behaviors and perceptions will operate the same way for both. Cistulli and Snyder (2019) argued that workplace e-mail is provided by and controlled by the employer, while social media accounts are controlled by workers and acquired outside of the work context. So, workplace e-mail and other company-related platforms are private, while the employees' social media accounts are public platforms with the option to share or not to share on a case-by-case basis.…”

“…The present study used a modified version of Snyder's (2010) measure of perceived e-mail privacy called Concern about Organizational Infringement. The nine items which have proven reliable elsewhere (Cistulli and Snyder, 2019) were modified to fit the social media context. The items (e.g.…”

Student-Professor Social Media Relationships: An Exploratory Study of Privacy and Trust

“…A modified version of Snyder’s (2010) measure of perceived email privacy called Concern about Organizational Infringement was used. The nine items on this construct, which have proven reliable (Cistulli & Snyder, 2019; Snyder & Cistulli, 2020) were modified to fit the social media context. The items (e.g., “I am confident with my ability to regulate who has access to the content of my social media account[s]”) on this reliable measure ( M = 3.56, SD = 0.61., α = .79) were scored such that higher scores were indicative of higher levels of concern (i.e., less privacy).…”

“…Past research has discussed how social media has blurred the boundaries between work and personal life for U.S. workers (Abril et al, 2012; Boswell & Olsen-Buchanan, 2007). Moreover, recent research suggests that social media relationships among workers and their supervisors and subordinates can have consequences for workplace relationships, perceptions, and behaviors (Cistulli & Snyder, 2019; Snyder & Cistulli, 2020). That research was interested in the power dynamics at play in a work environment, the use of social media to develop relationships outside of work, and the consequences of those blurred boundaries.…”

Notes From the Editors: Spotlight on Social Media

“…Their results remind us of the value of examining complex phenomena with more advanced analysis designs. Cistulli and Snyder (2019) explored a more personal aspect of workplace social media usage in examining how social media contacts between supervisor and subordinate influence privacy. Based on psychological contract violation, the authors bring out the issues in extending workplace relations into the electronic realm and offers suggestions for how workers and supervisors can negotiate such tricky relationships.…”