Transactive Memory and the Job Search: Finding Expertise and Influence in Socio-technical Networks

Abstract

Structural, communicative, and relational attributes of transactive memory (TM) affect the expertise and influence job seekers perceive in their job information networks. Using a sample of U.S. job seekers (N = 285), we found perceived expertise and influence varied across structural attributes (both source status and bridging ability) and relational attributes (emotional closeness) of job search sources. Communicative attributes (communication frequency) were associated with influence, but not expertise. In addition, we found a significant divergence in perceived influence across different sources. This study contributes to an understanding of job information networks, extends transactive memory to a socio-technical context, and adds influence as a meaningful outcome of transactive memory systems.