University of Twente Student Theses
You’re hired! But by a robot? : Effect of design and role on perceptions about a job interviewer robot
Pecuch Tucker, Denisse Giselle (2024) You’re hired! But by a robot? : Effect of design and role on perceptions about a job interviewer robot.
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| Abstract: | Introduction and background. More organizations and HR practitioners are exploring using robots as job interviewers instead of humans. However, they need more information to understand how implementing recruiting robots will affect their applicants. For example, job candidates may develop affective (what they feel), cognitive (what they think), and behavioural (what they would do) perceptions about the robot, the job interview, and the hiring company. These perceptions can impact the reputation of the company and the success of attracting the right talent. Objective. This study investigated how the design of a robot (humanlike vs. machinelike), and its role (decides to hire vs. helps a real HR employee to hire) affect those perceptions. The effect that contextual factors (technological affinity, robot anxiety, and pre-existent attitudes towards robots) can have on these perceptions was also studied. Methods. A 2x2 experimental between-subjects design was used to study these perceptions. A total of 87 respondents participated in an online elicitation-based experiment design, in which they watched a video about a job interview led by a robot (humanlike vs. machinelike and decision-maker or HR helper). Results. There were no statistically significant effects of robot design, robot role, or contextual factors on either of the ABC perceptions. Regardless of what robot video the participants viewed, they all evaluated the robot as machinelike. Participants all had neutral to negative perceptions about the robot, the company, and the interview. Conclusions and recommendations. It may not matter what design or role the robot adopts during the interview, since the robot will be seen as machine-like and evoke neutral to negative perceptions. Job candidates seem to disagree with being interviewed by any kind of recruiting robot, and will think unfavourably of the robot, the company, and the interview. More research is needed to explore whether a robot that is perceived as human-like would turn these perceptions around. It is advised that companies refrain from implementing recruiting robots for now; or that they make the recruiting process as ‘human’ as possible to mitigate the negative perceptions that recruiting robots can cause. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Studies BSc (56615) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100729 |
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