Generating Value From an Applicant Tracking System

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to gain insight in, and build upon existing research regarding, what can be done to generate user satisfaction and value of using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), from both a user and a supplier perspective. An assessment of previous literature illustrates several system success factors, also those specific for Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), current system utilization issues, and the suppliers’ role in supplier-user relationships. Current literature does however not dive deep into how suppliers and users collaborate to ensure generating value from users’ system usage. The urgency of utilization issues also creates a necessity to build upon existing literature and examine how users themselves utilize the system to generate value for their recruitment process. This is done by adopting a qualitative research approach through five interviews with system users and suppliers of the same ATS. The research shows that users’ active participation, in their use of the system and collaboration, and suppliers’ role in enabling this, as well as being responsive, are vital factors in ensuring a beneficial collaboration. Additionally, it became evident that certain underutilization of an ATS is necessary to establish proper utilization of the important value generating features.