The Influence of Digital Social Capital, Self-Efficacy, and Human Capital on Career Success in Fresh Graduate Students in Surabaya

Muhammad Rizal Ariyono Putra; Muhammad Fajar Wahyudi Rahman; Ika Diyah Candra Arifah; Hujjatullah Fazlurrahman

doi:10.55227/ijhess.v5i4.2161

Authors

Muhammad Rizal Ariyono Putra Universitas Negeri Surabaya
Muhammad Fajar Wahyudi Rahman Digital Business / Faculty of Economics and Business, State University of Surabaya
Ika Diyah Candra Arifah Digital Business / Faculty of Economics and Business, State University of Surabaya
Hujjatullah Fazlurrahman Digital Business / Faculty of Economics and Business, State University of Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v5i4.2161

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the effects of Digital Social Capital, Self-Efficacy, and Human Capital on Career Success among fresh graduates in Surabaya. The research is motivated by the high level of educated unemployment and the intense competition within the urban labor market in the digital era. Employing a quantitative explanatory research approach, the study involved 60 respondents who were graduates of the Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Digital Business programs at Universitas Negeri Surabaya. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The findings reveal that all three independent variables exert a positive and significant influence on Career Success. Among them, Human Capital shows the strongest effect (β = 0.403; p < 0.001), followed by Self-Efficacy (β = 0.285; p = 0.011) and Digital Social Capital (β = 0.216; p = 0.048). These results indicate that the integration of human capital, psychological resources, and digital social capital plays a crucial role in determining career success among young individuals in the era of digital transformation. Furthermore, this study contributes to theoretical development by integrating Social Cognitive Career Theory and Human Capital Theory, while also providing practical implications for higher education institutions to enhance students’ career readiness through the development of digital competencies, self-efficacy, and professional experience.

References

Aburumman, O. J., Belal, *, & Barhem, Y. (2020). The objective and subjective aspects of career success.

Alaql, A. A., AlQurashi, F., & Mehmood, R. (2023). Data-Driven Deep Journalism to Discover Age Dynamics in Multi-Generational Labour Markets from LinkedIn Media. Journalism and Media, 4(1), 120–145. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia4010010

Andersson, A. B. (2021). Social capital and self-efficacy in the process of youth entry into the labour market: Evidence from a longitudinal study in Sweden. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2020.100580

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1997-08589-000

Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Retrieved from https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo5952298.html

Bisschoff, Z. S., & Massyn, L. (2024). A conceptual soft skills competency framework for enhancing graduate intern employability. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 15(7), 66–81. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-08-2023-0239

BPS. (2023). Statistik migrasi Provinsi Jawa Timur hasil Long Form Sensus Penduduk 2020. Retrieved from https://jatim.bps.go.id/id/publication/2023/07/14/5e64ffbcfb7ac63db40bf9d7/statistik-migrasi-provinsi-jawa-timur-hasil-long-form-sensus-penduduk-2020.html

BPS. (2024). Agustus 2024, Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka (TPT) di Jawa Timur sebesar 4,19 persen. Retrieved from https://jatim.bps.go.id/id/pressrelease/2024/11/05/1452/agustus-2024--

(BPS), B. P. S. (2024). Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka (TPT) sebesar 4,82 persen dan Rata-rata upah buruh sebesar 3,04 juta rupiah per bulan. Retrieved from https://www.bps.go.id/id/pressrelease/2024/05/06/2372/tingkat-pengangguran-terbuka--tpt--sebesar-4-82-persen-dan-rata-rata-upah-buruh-sebesar-3-04-juta-rupiah-per-bulan.html

Brown, S. D., & Lent, R. W. (2017). Social Cognitive Career Theory in a Diverse World: Closing Thoughts. Journal of Career Assessment, 25(1), 173–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072716660061

Burt, R. S. (2005). Brokerage and closure: An introduction to social capital. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://global.oup.com/academic/product/brokerage-and-closure-9780199249145

Carkit, E. (2025). A Social Cognitive Lens on Employment Anxiety and Career Optimism in the Transition from School to Work. Career Development Quarterly, 73(3), 194–204. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.70000

Coleman, J. S. (1990). Foundations of social theory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Retrieved from https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674312265

(Disdukcapil), D. K. dan C. S. K. S. (2025). Analisis dampak kependudukan: Laporan akhir kajian urbanisasi Kota Surabaya. Pemerintah Kota Surabaya. Retrieved from Pemerintah Kota Surabaya website: https://disdukcapil.surabaya.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/LAPORAN-AKHIR-KAJIAN-URBANISASI-KOTA-SURABAYA-231224.pdf

Donald, W. E., Baruch, Y., & Ashleigh, M. J. (2024). Construction and operationalisation of an Employability Capital Growth Model (ECGM) via a systematic literature review (2016–2022). Studies in Higher Education, 49(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2219270

Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook “friends”: Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4), 1143–1168. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00367.x

Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error. In Source: Journal of Marketing Research (Vol. 18).

Giotis, G., Gogas, T., & Gouda, K. (2025). Education and Employment. Encyclopedia, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5020085

Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380. https://doi.org/10.1086/225469

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019, January 14). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, Vol. 31, pp. 2–24. Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203

Jackson, D., Bridgstock, R., Lambert, C., Tofa, M., & Sibson, R. (2024). Subjective career success among new graduates and the role of personal factors. Education and Training, 66(7), 964–980. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-01-2024-0035

Kistyanto, A., Rahman, M. F. W., & Budiono, B. (2025). Digital social capital on career success in digital natives and digital immigrant employees. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 103(2), 423–435. Retrieved from http://jatit.org/volumes/Vol103No2/32Vol103No2.pdf

Lasisi, T. T., Lazareva, E. I., Abramyan, G. A., Gavrilova, J. V., & Murzin, A. D. (2023). Intellectual Capital and Technology as Factors of Career Success: Role of Income Inequality. Economies, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/economies11020063

Lenasri, G., & Shekhar, S. K. (2025). Social media for recruitment: a TCCM-based systematic literature review and content analysis. Cogent Business and Management, Vol. 12. Cogent OA. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2569794

Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Monograph Toward a Unifying Social Cognitive Theory of Career and Academic Interest, Choice, and Performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior.

Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (2000). Contextual supports and barriers to career choice: A social cognitive analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, Vol. 47, pp. 36–49. American Psychological Association Inc. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.47.1.36

Lutz, W., Goujon, A., Stonawski, M., & Stilianakis, N. (2018). Demographic and human capital scenarios for the 21st century 2018 assessment for 201 countries.

Luza, A. R. (2024). Addressing Career Integration Challenges of Immigrants in Fin-land: The Potential of Digital Mentorship.

Marety Megasari, E. (2025). The Role of Internship Experience, Soft Skills, and Self-Efficacy in Enhancing Vocational Readiness: A Systematic Literature Review. In Didaktika: Jurnal Kependidikan (Vol. 14). Retrieved from https://jurnaldidaktika.org6353

Marginson, S. (2019). Limitations of human capital theory*. Studies in Higher Education, 44(2), 287–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2017.1359823

Musa, S., Nurhayati, S., & Boriboon, G. (2025). The Effect of Internships on Graduates’ Employability, Soft Skills, and Digital Competence. Educational Process: International Journal, 17. https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.17.306

Petruzziello, G., Mariani, M. G., Chiesa, R., & Guglielmi, D. (2021). Self-efficacy and job search success for new graduates. Personnel Review, 50(1), 225–243. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-01-2019-0009

Pico-Saltos, R., Bravo-Montero, Lady, Montalván-Burbano, N., Garzás, J., & Redchuk, A. (2021). Career success in university graduates: Evidence from an Ecuadorian study in los ríos province. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169337

Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon & Schuster. Retrieved from https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bowling-Alone/Robert-D-Putnam/9780743203043

Rozsa, Z., Minčič, V., Krajčík, V., & Vránová, H. (2022). Social Capital and Job Search Behavior in the Services Industry: Online Social Networks Perspective. Journal of Tourism and Services, 13(25), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.29036/jots.v13i25.481

Schultz, T. W. (1961). Investment in human capital. The American Economic Review, 51(1), 1–17. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/1818907

Seibert, S. E., Kraimer, M. L., & Liden, R. C. (2001). A social capital theory of career success. Academy of Management Journal, 44(2), 219–237. https://doi.org/10.2307/3069452

Streib, J. (2025). How the Class-Advantaged Fail to Obtain Greater Economic Capital from Their Greater Social Capital. Socius, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231251354827

Tung, D. A. O., & Huong, B. T. T. (2023). The role of social self-efficacy and psychological capital in IT graduates’ employability and subjective career success. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2204630

Wei Low, C., Pei Yew, M., Fatihah Shaari, N., & Liew, S. (2025). Social and Management Research Journal Understanding Job Search Intentions: A Study on Psychological Drivers among Malaysian Graduates. Social and Management Research Journal, 22(1), 99–111. https://doi.org/10.24191/smrj.v22i1.6744

Yan, X., & Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri. (2025). Soft Skills Development in Higher Education: Impact on Graduate Employment Success. Advances in Curriculum Design&Education, 1(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.63808/acde.v1i2.205

Zheng, X., Mohd Puad, M. H., & Ab. Jalil, H. (2025). A scoping review of job search self-efficacy over the past 5 years: antecedents, mechanisms, consequences, and future directions based on SCT/SCCT. Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 16. Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1596847