Job Search Behavior among Unemployed People: An Empirical Investigation in Saudi Arabia

Journal Article

2015

Published in: http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ajrbem&volume=5&issue=5&art…

Theory of planed behavior (TPB) has proceeded to identify three key variables as determinants of job search intention. These variables are job search attitude, subjective norms, and job search self-efficacy. In this study model, the researcher proposed specific direct and indirect relationships between these three variables and another variable naming “job search clarity” and the job search intention, which in turn has been processed as a moderator variable that mediate the effects of these four variables on job search behavior. To test the hypothesized model of this present study, a sample of 531 unemployed Saudi individuals who are searching for jobs was selected. 2-wave longitudinal methodology was used in order to separate the selected four variables from the job search behavior constructs (effort and intensity). The data from this sample showed a satisfactory fit.

The main findings of this study indicated that there was a positive relationship between Job search attitude, self-efficacy, and subjective norms and job search intention which in turn positively related to job search behavior. In addition, job search clarity was also positively related to job search behavior. The findings also pointed out that all TPB variables directly and indirectly affected job search behavior. Practical implications and suggestions related to these findings have been presented and discussed.

• Volume Number: 5
• Issue Number: 5
• Pages: 101