The effect of Facebook on work productivity : a case study of Solidere employees

Abstract

The effect of Facebook on workplace productivity has been discussed in Human Resources departments in many companies, as they tried to understand the value of having open access to the Social Networking Sites (SNS) at the workplace. This study explored the advantages and disadvantages of using Facebook at work, by studying people’s attitudes and behaviors as they browse their accounts. A sample of 100 employees with desk jobs at The Company for the Reconstruction and Development of Beirut Central District, Solidere filled out a questionnaire to answer questions related to Facebook usage at work and their behaviors and attitudes towards the SNS. Results revealed that using the SNS for a short period of time is beneficial and can be considered a healthy, rejuvenating break that helps an employee release tension and get back to work energized. They also bring people together so that they can share knowledge and experiences and connect with one another regardless of the distance between them. As such they gratify their needs for entertainment and for socializing. However, spending more that 20 percent of an employee’s time browsing a Facebook account makes it an unhealthy habit that reduces productivity. As such, the hypothesis that states that the more time Solidere’s employees spend time using Facebook at work; the more it can be considered a distraction to productivity is accepted. However, the hypothesis that states that employee’s exposure to Facebook will lead to a healthy form of escapism from the stressful workplace to increase productivity does not always apply. Future research should test the effect of Facebook on people’s daily lives, as the SNS has over 1 billion daily users, spending an average of 35 minutes browsing their accounts and who access them on average eight times per day. Furthermore, other factors affecting productivity at the workplace should be investigated to help companies maximize their production. (Osman, M., 2017).