FACTORS INFLUENCING INFORMAL RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PRACTICES IN NON-STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HAKHA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29303/distribusi.v14i2.712Keywords:
Candidate Availability, Convenience, Informal Recruitment, Referrals, Trust.Abstract
Informal recruitment and selection practices remain common in organizations that operate in resource-constrained environments, particularly where formal human resource management systems are limited. Despite extensive research on recruitment practices, limited studies have examined how trust, referrals, convenience, and availability of candidates jointly influence informal recruitment and selection decisions in non-state educational institutions. This study investigates the influence of these factors on informal recruitment and selection practices in non-state educational institutions in Hakha, Myanmar. This study is among the first to examine trust, referrals, convenience, and availability of candidates simultaneously within non-state educational institutions in Hakha. Guided by Social Network Theory, the study adopts a quantitative research approach and collects data from 63 respondents who possess knowledge of recruitment and selection practices within their institutions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings reveal that referrals, convenience, and availability of candidates significantly influence informal recruitment and selection practices, with referrals emerging as the strongest predictor, while trust does not demonstrate a significant independent effect in the regression model. The findings suggest that educational institutions rely heavily on social networks and practical recruitment considerations when making hiring decisions. The study contributes to the literature by examining relational and practical recruitment factors within a single analytical framework and provides empirical evidence from a context that has received limited scholarly attention. The findings also offer practical insights for educational institutions seeking to balance recruitment efficiency with fairness and transparency.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rebecca Van Sui Nei Iang, Akhmad Saufi, Isra Dewi Kuntary Ibrahim
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