Networking behaviour, graduate employability: a social capital perspective

Purpose - Drawing on the overarching framework of social capital theory this study develops and empirically examines networking behaviour and employability within the higher education context.

Design/methodology/approach - In a sample of 376 full-time business students we measured perceived employability, networking behaviour, access to resources and job-search learning goal orientation.

Findings - Networking is related to increased internal and external perceived employability by boosting access to resources. Our results also demonstrate that networking is positively related to access to resources for low and high job-search learning goal orientation, the relationship being stronger for those with higher levels.

Research implications - We contribute to social capital, networking and graduate employability literatures with an indirect model of networking outcomes in the higher education context. This shows access to resources as a mediator and job-search learning goal orientation as an intensifying characteristic.
Practical implications - Our findings suggest activities for individuals concerned with enhancing their employability and those involved in supporting career guidance.

Originality/value - Obvious beneficiaries are students, for whom employment is a key concern, and universities who face increasing pressure to enhance graduate employability whilst resources to do so are diminishing. To this end, we highlight activities that may develop networking behaviours and job-search learning goal orientation.