Decoding the Signal Effects of Job Candidate Attraction to Corporate Social Practices

• Published in: Business and society review (1974) Vol. 115; no. 2; pp. 173 - 204
• Main Authors: SORENSON, SARAH, MATTINGLY, JAMES E., LEE, FELISSA K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-06-2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Applicants; Preferences; Professional recruitment; Social responsibility; Studies
• ISSN: 0045-3609; 1467-8594
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8594.2010.00361.x

ABSTRACT
This article seeks to go beyond the implied assumption from previous research that job candidate attraction to corporate social practices is equivalent across individuals. To this end, we propose a framework for categorizing individuals' attraction to different corporate social performance profiles. Our framework is grounded in relational models theory and Mitroff's model of managers' “ideal organizations.” An inductive approach was used to elaborate upon the model and assess the extent to which candidates preferences vary. Data were collected from prospective job seekers regarding their attraction to social practices that benefit or harm various stakeholders, and these responses were used to develop profiles of job candidates' attraction to distinct profiles of organizations' social practices. The results provide a guide for managers who wish to improve the likelihood that an organization's social practices reflect what is best about its culture.