Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workers

Attracting knowledge workers is recognised as a critical success factor by organisations. In order to succeed in the war for talent many organisations realise they need to brand themselves as employers of choice. This research established the factors knowledge workers regard as important organisatio...

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Main Authors: M. M. Sutherland, D. G. Torricelli, R. F. Karg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2002-12-01
Series:South African Journal of Business Management
Online Access:https://sajbm.org/index.php/sajbm/article/view/707
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author M. M. Sutherland
D. G. Torricelli
R. F. Karg
author_facet M. M. Sutherland
D. G. Torricelli
R. F. Karg
author_sort M. M. Sutherland
collection DOAJ
description Attracting knowledge workers is recognised as a critical success factor by organisations. In order to succeed in the war for talent many organisations realise they need to brand themselves as employers of choice. This research established the factors knowledge workers regard as important organisational attributes when seeking an employer and what communication channels signal these attributes to knowledge workers. This was a two-phase study involving 274 knowledge workers. Qualitative research identified the organisational attributes desired and the communication channels used. Quantitative research using Factor Analysis, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests established the underlying factors, their order of importance and the significant differences in the target market segmentation. The findings show 11 underlying factors, with career growth and challenging work opportunities being the most desired attributes. Word of mouth and/or current employees are the most used communication channels. Differences in the target market were noted by gender, age and cultural groupings. Recommendations are offered for organisations seeking to become employers of choice.
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spelling doaj.art-10c7332688c5431595a9d8ad923f3a932022-12-22T02:10:18ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Business Management2078-55852078-59762002-12-01334132010.4102/sajbm.v33i4.707427Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workersM. M. Sutherland0D. G. Torricelli1R. F. Karg2Wits Business School, University of the WitwatersrandWits Business School, University of the WitwatersrandWits Business School, University of the WitwatersrandAttracting knowledge workers is recognised as a critical success factor by organisations. In order to succeed in the war for talent many organisations realise they need to brand themselves as employers of choice. This research established the factors knowledge workers regard as important organisational attributes when seeking an employer and what communication channels signal these attributes to knowledge workers. This was a two-phase study involving 274 knowledge workers. Qualitative research identified the organisational attributes desired and the communication channels used. Quantitative research using Factor Analysis, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests established the underlying factors, their order of importance and the significant differences in the target market segmentation. The findings show 11 underlying factors, with career growth and challenging work opportunities being the most desired attributes. Word of mouth and/or current employees are the most used communication channels. Differences in the target market were noted by gender, age and cultural groupings. Recommendations are offered for organisations seeking to become employers of choice.https://sajbm.org/index.php/sajbm/article/view/707
spellingShingle M. M. Sutherland
D. G. Torricelli
R. F. Karg
Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workers
South African Journal of Business Management
title Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workers
title_full Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workers
title_fullStr Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workers
title_full_unstemmed Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workers
title_short Employer-of-choice branding for knowledge workers
title_sort employer of choice branding for knowledge workers
url https://sajbm.org/index.php/sajbm/article/view/707
work_keys_str_mv AT mmsutherland employerofchoicebrandingforknowledgeworkers
AT dgtorricelli employerofchoicebrandingforknowledgeworkers
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