Proceedings of The 3rd International Conference on Research in Human Resource Management
Year: 2023
DOI:
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Employer Attributes and Employer of Choice Study in a Turbulent Business Environment: A Case Study of Catering Firms in Macao
Wei Hong, Farzad Sabetzadeh, Dr. Li Wen Jing
ABSTRACT:
Purpose –This research tries to identify the most concerned employer attributes in the era of turbulent business environment from employees’ centric view and what attitudes current employees hold to their employer.
Design/methodology/approach – Employees from two lead catering groups in Macao have been studied via open-ended questionnaires. Content analysis has been applied to analyze qualitative data obtained. Triangulation is adopted to ensure the validity of data.
Findings – The most concerned employer attributes are salary, job security, and teamwork. In contrast, organizational culture and value, CSR activities, and other attributes are the least essential employer attributes in the eyes of current employees. Respondents held mixed feelings toward promotion opportunities. The majority (16 of 20) were positive toward their employer because they would likely recommend friends or relatives for an internal referral. Positive and negative employer attributes are found as well. Triangulation proves the findings, shows the consistency of response and explains internal and external environmental factors attributed to the findings.
Originality/value – This research extends employer brand application in a turbulent business scenario, which corresponds with Lieven and Slaughter’s call on employer brand research in a volatile business environment. The research project argues that employees evaluate employer attributes based on actual needs and may change their perceived employer brand from time to time. Thus, management practitioners need to understand employees’ perceptions of the employer brand based on their actual needs and make corresponding changes to management policies and strategies.
keywords: Employer Attributes, Employer of Choice, Macao Catering Industry, Employer Brand