BUSI 646
Managing Human Capital in Healthcare
Dr. Colleen McLaughlin
1/22/23
Joshua-Paul Johnian Sr.
Discussion Reply: Intro to Strategic HR in Healthcare - Jeremy
Introduction
Jeremy, thank you for your submission to our discussion on strategic HR in healthcare
and your research on the impact of social media, its relationship with HR, and the growing
influence of processes and employment within the healthcare industry. In reply to your post, I
will provide additional research to expand the conversation and Biblical context for
consideration.
Social Media, Corporate Culture and Human Resources
A recent video of the rise and fall of AOL Online, the impact of the internet, and the
future influence of chat rooms and discussion boards should have provided businesses with
advanced consideration of how every industry was going to change significantly. Today, a
growing social, political, a business debate now focuses on the impact of TikToc and possible
security concerns as well as Human Resources challenges with employee and employer privacy;
In contrast, this present debate highlights a negative aspect of social media, not all social media
is counter-productive or harmful. When considering the relationship between employees,
employers, and changes in culture, it is difficult to comprehend how the industry can quickly
reflect such changes. McConnel writes, “it also takes time for an organization's culture to
mature” (McConnell, pp. 31, 2021). Therefore, the role of HR is best suited to aid in the
effectiveness of organizational relationships between employees, line managers, and CEOs, as
well as the management of technology and the impacts of social media (McConnell, 2021).
Social Media Presence and Identity
Today it is not uncommon for potential employers and employees to cyber-vet one
another, and your research highlighted the role social media plays in this process. Beyond casual
snooping, companies and individuals can use business-based social media platforms, such as
Linkedin, to research histories, accomplishments, professional opinions, and contributions to the
industry. Research on this topic highlighted several platforms that are used for recruitment
ranging from Facebook and Linkedin to Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube (Walrave et al., 2022),
with HR personnel providing an essential role in the vetting process, primarily when recruiting
middle and senior-level management. While cyber-vetting encourages HR departments to
explore the benefits or risks for potential candidates, HR personnel must also manage their own
corporation's social media presence. Social media platforms with dated information or
technologies can provide a negative marker for a company that desires to attract essential talent.
Furthermore, in an environment where social media allows companies to advocate for specific
issues, the role of HR departments can carefully maneuver around a sensitive subject or concern
as it relates to political issues or healthcare topics. Recently, social and health issues that also
impacted healthcare industries ranged from Black Lives Matter to LGBTQ+, Covid19, and the
recent ruling on Roe vs. Wade. While these causes can be very polarizing, most healthcare and
corporate identities utilize their social media presence to vocalize their support or opinion to
create commonality with consumers and prospective future employees (Pitt et al., 2018). Within
Scripture, the Bible also supports the decisive aspect of social relationships since Biblical history
pre-dates the powerful impacts of social media. Nevertheless, people were often evaluated and
judged on their appearance, verbal positions, or public stances. While Scripture warns against
judging based on outward appearances, the Apostle Peter presents a realistic assessment of
people and society and encourages the early church writing, “having your conduct honorable
among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good
works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (NKJV)
Social Media and Professional Collaboration
Historically, the exchange of ideas, concepts, and new approaches was once considered
closely guarded trade secrets or intellectual property reserved for academia. While corporate
data, Big-data, and research are kept behind corporate firewalls, social media has opened an
entirely new form of professional collaboration that has expanded debate, processes, and ideas
(Human Resource Management International Digest, 2022). Furthermore, healthcare
collaboration is essential to medical practices, procedures, and policies that encourage successful
benchmarks, patient satisfaction, and financial outcomes. Since technological advancement can
effectively monitor efficient performance, HR departments are incorporating social media
platforms to emphasize communication, teamwork, and collaboration to increase productivity
(Human Resource Management International Digest, 2022). This has shown significant positive
impacts in hospital and pharmacy settings.
Social Media, Identity, and a Biblical Application
Today’s HR departments face a stable but evolving technological environment that will
continually shape how businesses and people engage in every aspect of their professional and
personal lives. While there are many potential pitfalls related to social media, a progressive and
proactive HR department can provide a clear direction for their employers, management, and
public presence to remain relevant and impactful. In today’s technological environment, HR
departments can serve as both gatekeepers and pioneers utilizing social media as a tool not to be
feared but expanded. In Proverbs 13:18, the wisdom of Solomon shares, “He who walks with
wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (NKJV) as a cautionary
call to evaluate the use of social media and allow HR departments to guide its efficient and
effective use for the benefit of many.
Thank you for your contribution to our class.
References
McConnell, C. (2021). Human Resources Management in Healthcare: Principles in Practice.
Burlington: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Pitt, C. S., Botha, E., Ferreira, J. J., & Kietzmann, J. (2018). Employee brand engagement on
social media: Managing optimism and commonality. Business Horizons, 61(4), 635-
642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2018.04.001
Social media use among healthcare professionals: Enhanced engagement and productivity is
possible. (2022). Human Resource Management International Digest, 30(4), 23-
25. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-03-2022-0045
The New King James Version (1 Pe 2:12). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
The New King James Version (Pr 13:20). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
