Business and Applied Management Journal
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026)

Work–Life Balance and Perceived Digital Recruitment Effectiveness among Generation Z: A Sequential Mediation Model of Recruitment Experience and Job Search Self-Efficacy

Yayat Sudrajat (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Miftahul Huda Subang, Indonesia)
Nausheen Shakeel (University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan)
Udin Zaenudin (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Miftahul Huda Subang, Indonesia)
Kania Laelawati (Universitas Kebangsaan Republik Indonesia Bandung, Indonesia)
Dodi Siswanto (Universitas Al-Ghifari Bandung, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Aug 2026

Abstract

Digital recruitment has changed how Generation Z evaluates prospective employers, shifting attention from job availability toward platform-based experiences, process transparency, and alignment with work values. This study examines the effect of work–life balance on perceived digital recruitment effectiveness through digital recruitment experience and job search self-efficacy. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 301 Generation Z job portal users in Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using PLS-SEM with SmartPLS 4.0. The results show that work–life balance does not directly affect perceived digital recruitment effectiveness (β = −0.062; p = 0.101). In contrast, digital recruitment experience (β = 0.678; p < 0.001) and job search self-efficacy (β = 0.382; p < 0.001) have positive and significant effects. The indirect effect through digital recruitment experience is also significant (β = 0.607; p < 0.001), as is the sequential mediation through digital recruitment experience and job search self-efficacy (β = 0.206; p < 0.001). Organizations and job portal providers should clarify vacancy and selection information, accelerate HR responses, provide transparent application-status updates, and minimize technical barriers. This study provides practical implications for organizations seeking to optimize digital recruitment strategies by enhancing candidate experiences, transparency, and confidence throughout the recruitment process.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bamj

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

Business and Applied Management Journal is Peer-reviewed refereed journal aiming at engaging academicians as well as practitioners. Focus on the areas of economics, finance, banking, capital markets, takaful and law. The aim of the Journal is to foster academic research by publishing original ...