Abstract
This research investigates the role of long-term data preservation in online recruitment practices, an essential yet often overlooked aspect of digital human resource management. With the growing trend of recruitment platforms creating and storing digital records, it is crucial to ensure the long-term preservation of this data to meet legal requirements, maintain transparency, and uphold institutional accountability. The research addresses one primary question: How is long-term data preservation used in online recruitment? The discussion includes four sub-questions that focus on implementation, opportunities, challenges, and security measures. A qualitative research approach was utilised, consisting of comprehensive in-depth interviews with fifteen participants selected from the departments of Human Resource Management, Records Management, and Information Technology. Using ATLAS.ti 25 software, a thematic and content analysis was conducted, and the results were interpreted through the lens of Actor-Network Theory. This theory posits that data preservation originates from the interactions among human and non-human actors, including platforms, policies, users, and technologies. Key findings indicate that although organisations acknowledge the significance of digital preservation, their actual implementation of these practices is inconsistent. Obstacles stem from inadequate infrastructure, fragmented systems, insufficient policy implementation, and poor consent management. There are opportunities to enhance processes by automated backup systems, linking HR systems with digital archives, and strengthening security through role-based access control and two-factor authentication. The study further emphasises the threat posed by devices that are not listed and informal data handling methods, both of which compromise the integrity of preservation efforts. The study concludes that for data to be preserved effectively over the long term, there must be a socio-technical alignment, which is supported by training, institutional governance, and national policy frameworks. By utilising ANT in a modern HR setting, the study enhances digital preservation research and provides actionable suggestions for creating stronger preservation networks in the realm of online recruitment.