The Impact of Corporate Image Towards Job Applying Intention of Graduating University Students

Main Article Content

Chonnikarn Thienthaworn

Abstract

This research is conducted with the purpose to study the relationship between a corporate image and a job applying intention of graduating university students, focusing on three dimensions of a corporate image; (1) Product/Service image (2) Employer image, and (3) CSR image, and further examine the strongest predictor that can determine a job applying intention of graduating university students. A Theory of Planned Behavior, which has been widely used in investigating and predicting human intentions in various fields of study, was applied in this study to examine the job applying intention behavior of graduating university students in the Thailand context. The data was gathered using purposive sampling by distributing questionnaires to 408 respondents drawn from 8 universities, both public and private universities in Bangkok and the vicinity. The results from correlation analysis showed a moderate level of relationship between a corporate image and a job applying intention. In this regard, an ‘Employer image’ had the highest values of moderate relationship, compared to other dimensions. The model test for a corporate image variable using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) also affirmed that an ‘Employer image’ had the highest factor loading values at 0.89. Besides, another model test for a job applying intention variable showed that an ‘Individual’s attitude’ had the highest factor loading values at 0.89, compared to other observed variables entered in the model. In addition, the multiple regression analysis further indicated that a ‘CSR image’ dimension had the strongest predictive power to determine a job applying intention. To be specific, 28.2% of the variation in a CSR image of a studying company can explain the variation in a job applying intention of graduating university students.

Article Details

Section
Articles

References

Adams, S. P. (2013). Examining Graduate Applicant Intentions to Apply to an Organization: The Theory of Planned Behavior in the South African Context. (Master’s Thesis). Stellenbosch University, South Africa. (in English)

Afroze, R. (2016). Does Recruitment Develop a Corporate Image to Attract Talented Candidates for Hiring in Bangladesh? Asian Business Review, 6(1), p. 35-38.

Agrawal, R. K., & Swaroop, P. (2009). Effect of Employer Brand Image on Application Intentions of B-school Undergraduates. Journal of Business Perspective. 13(3). p.41-49.

Ajzen I. (1985) From Intentions to Actions: A Theory of Planned Behavior. In: Kuhl J., Beckmann J. (Eds.), Action Control. SSSP Springer Series in Social Psychology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.

Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), p. 179-211.

Amani, J., & Mkumbo, K.A. (2016). Predictors of Career Intentions among Undergraduate Students in Tanzania. Journal of Education and Human Development. 5(3). p.106-115.

Asanbekova, M. & Maksüdünov, A. (2018). The Corporate Image As a Weapon in the Attraction of Prospective Employees. Voice of Research. 7(3). p.34-36.

Barnett, M. L., Jermier, J. M., & Lafferty, B. A. (2006). Corporate Reputation: The Definitional Landscape. Corporate Reputation Review, 9(1), p. 26-38.

Brand Buffet (2021). Top 50 Companies Gen Y intends to Work with in 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2022 from https://www.brandbuffet.in.th/2021/01/50-dream-compnay-of-gen-y-in-2020/

Brand Buffet (2021). รู้จักตัวตนคน Gen Z กับ 4 กลยุทธ์ “แบรนด์” มัดใจกลุ่มกำลังซื้อทรงอิทธิพลเปลี่ยนโลกการตลาด. Retrieved January 11, 2022 from https://www.brandbuffet.in.th/2021/04/debunking-myths-about-asean-generation-z/

Carpenter, J. E. (2013). The role of corporate image perceptions in selection: Testing an impression formation model (Doctoral Dissertation).

Digital Economy Promotion Agency. (2021). Does AI technology affect job hiring? How do humans prepare for this change? Retrieved April 14, 2022 from ttps://www.depa.or.th/th/article-view/ai-employment

Dechporn, J. (2020). The Consumers’ Perception towards Image of Organization Implementing Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (Case Study: AMPOL FOOD PROCESSING LTD.). (Master’s Thesis), Silpakorn University (in Thai).

Donlao, T., Fuangchan, S., Chirinang, P., and Kromadit, V. (2021). The Future of Thai Workers in a Changing Economy. Journal of Administrative and Management Innovation. 9(1), p. 35-44.

Dowling, G. R. (1986). Managing your corporate images. Industrial Marketing Management, 15, p.109-115.

E.A.J. van Hooft et al. (2004). Job Search and The Theory of Planned Behavior: Minority–majority Group Differences in The Netherlands. Journal of Vocational Behavior. 65, p. 366–390.

Fombrun, C. J., Gardberg, N. A., & Sever, J. M. (2000). The reputation quotient: A multi-stakeholder measure of corporate reputation. Journal of Brand Management, 7(4), p. 241-255.

Gray, E. R., & Balmer, J. M. T. (1998). Managing corporate image and corporate reputation. Long Range Planning, 31(5), p. 695-702.

Gomes, D., & J. Neves. (2011). Organizational attractiveness and prospective applicants' intentions to apply. Personnel Review, 40(6), p. 684-699.

Hemachandra, D., Gunawardena, L., & Kodithuwakku, S. (2018). Career Intention of Undergraduate Students: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior. The IUP Journal of Entrepreneurship Development, 15(1), p. 7-27

Hiranrat, C., Harncharnchai A., & Duangjan, C. (2021). Theory of Planned Behavior and The Influence of Communication Self-efficacy on Intention to Pursue a Software Development Career. Journal of Information Systems Education. 32(1). p. 40-52.

Highhouse, S., Brooks, M. E., & Gregarus, G. (2009). An organizational impression management perspective on the formation of corporate reputations. Journal of Management, 35(6), p. 1481-1493.

Janice, J., & Leosaputro, J.I. (2014). The Impact of Corporate Image of PT XYZ towards Job Applicant Attraction in Surabaya. iBuss Management. 2(2). p. 12-20.

Kasikorn Research Center (2020). Gen Z” First Jobber: The Understanding of New Generation Difference”. Retrieved March 8, 2022 from https://kasikornresearch.com/th/analysis/k-social-media/Pages/Gen-Z-11-08-21.aspx

Keller, K. L. (2003). Strategic brand management: Building, measuring, and managing brand equity: (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Kotler, P., & Lee, N. (2005). Corporate Social Responsibility: Doing the most good for your company and your cause: Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Krungthep Turakij (2021). The Graduates’ Checklist: The Desired Company of Graduates in 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022 from https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/lifestyle/959453

Lapirattanakul, V. (2003). Public Relations: (10th ed.). Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University (in Thai).

Lemmink, J., Schuijf, A. &Streukens, S. (2003). The Role of Corporate Image and Company Employment Image in Explaining Application Intentions. Journal of Economic Psychology, 24, p. 1-15.

Lutz, R. J. (1991). The role of attitude theory in marketing. In H. H. Kassarjain & T.S.Robertson (Eds.). In Perspectives in consumer behavior: (4th ed., pp.317-321). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (2021). The Location of Educational Institutes. Retrieved February 24, 2022 from http://www.mua.go.th/university-2.html

Minor Hotel. (2021). Minor is More. Retrieved December 16, 2021 from https://careers.minorhotels.com/en/

Nelloh, L. (2017). Intentions to Apply as Internship Students on Digital Start-Up Companies in Jakarta. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 20(2), p. 347-366.

Nestlé Thailand. (2021). Nestlé Management Trainee Program. Retrieved February 9, 2022 from https://www.nestle.co.th/en/management-trainee-program

Ngatuni, P., & Ulomi, E.N. (2020). Behavioral Predictors of Students’ Career Intentions in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Tanzania. Huria Journal. 27(1). p. 139-167.

Ngoc Thang, N., Rowley, C., Mayrhofer, W. & Phuong Anh, N. (2022): Generation Z job seekers in Vietnam: CSR-based employer attractiveness and job pursuit intention, Asia Pacific Business Reviews.

Poolphon, P., & Teangsompong, T. (2020). The Causal Model of Job Application Intention in Thai Automotive Industry. Conference Paper Presented in The National Conference: New Age in Sustainable Business. 29 July 2020. p. 174-186

Pope, N. K. L., & Voges, K. E. (1999). Sponsorship and image: a replication and extension. Journal of Marketing Communication, 5, p. 17-28.

Positioning (2018). Five Factors Affecting New Generation (Gen Y and Gen Z) to Work with a Company - Gen Z People are more interested in Working Atmosphere than Company’s Reputation. Retrieved April 25, 2022 from https://positioningmag.com/1180578

PPTVHD36. (2022). ผลสำรวจ Gen Z - Gen Y กับเหตุผลในการเลือก “องค์กรทำงาน” Retrieved February 22. 2022 from https://www.pttep.com/en/Career/Studentsgraduates.aspx

PTTEP. (2021). Youth Development Program: 2022 Internship Program, Retrieved May 7, 2022 from https://www.pttep.com/en/Career/Studentsgraduates.aspx

Putra, I. H., & Purba, D. F. (2020). Effects of Satisfaction, Subjective Norms, and Self-efficacy on Job Application Intentions of Student Interns. Psychological Research on Urban Society. 3(2), p. 87-96.

Sabaiwan, W. (2010). Development of corporate image measurement form. (Master’s Thesis). Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok (in Thai).

Santiago, J. (2019). The relationship between brand attractiveness and the intent to apply for a job: A millennials’ perspective. European Journal of Management and Business Economics. 28(2) p. 142-157.

Santiwong, T., & Santiwong, C. (1999). Corporate communication: Bangkok: Thammasat Printing House.

SCG. (2021). Excellent Internship Program, Career Roadshow Thailand, International Career Roadshow. Retrieved from https://career.scg.com/th/Internship

Seriphaisan, T. (2015). Image Relating to Working Decision Trend with CP ALL Public Company Limited. (Master’s Thesis). Srinakharinwirot University (in Thai).

Seritanondh, C. (2011). Effectiveness of congruency between corporate core business and CSR activities towards corporate image. (Master’s Thesis). Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. (in Thai)

Seritanondh, C. (2018). Structural Equation Model of Corporate Social Responsibility Innovation, Corporate Image and Corporate Reputation towards Corporate Social Responsibility Innovation adoption among Generation Y. (Doctoral Thesis). National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok.

Solomon, M. R. (2011). Consumer behavior: Buying, having, and being: (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Tantivejakul et. al (2012). The New Generation’s Perceptions towards Corporate Image and Job Applying Intention at Osotspa. Journal of Public Relations and Advertising. 5(1). p. 1-20.

Thanarittivarapak, B. (2018). The Factors of Employer Attractiveness Affect Job Application Intentions of Generation Z Who are Undergraduate Students. (Master’s Thesis). Thammasat university (in Thai).

Theerasorn, S. (2009). Marketing communication: (2nd ed.). Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press. (in Thai).

Thienthaworn, C. (2021). The Effects of Persuasive Communication Strategies and Campaign Images Used in Donation-Based Crowdfunding Project towards the Donating Intention Behavior. Journal of Public Relations and Advertising. 14(2). p.132 - 160.

Tsai, W. & and Yang, I. W. (2010). Does Image Matter to Different Job Applicants? The Influences of Corporate Image and Applicant Individual Differences on Organizational Attractiveness. International Journal of Selection and Assessment. 18(1), p. 48 - 63.

Unicef. (2019). 6 Top Benefits of Hiring Young Talent. Retrieved May 6, 2022 from https://www.unicef.org

/thailand/stories/6-top-benefits-hiring-young-talent

Vilkaite-Vaitone, N. and Lukaite, U. (2019). Employer Attractiveness on Social Networks and Organizational Image as Predictors of Intentions to Apply for a Job Position. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3, p. 209-222.

Vungsuntitum, S. (2007). Chapter5: Strategy of corporate image building. In Handout for Strategic Public Relations course: Nonthaburi: Sukhothai Thammathirat University. (in Thai).

Wanakasemsan, S. (2009). Development of corporate image measurement form. (Master’s Thesis). Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. (in Thai)

Wen, H., Leung, X., Li, X. and Kwon, J. (2018). What influences Chinese students’ intentions to pursue hospitality careers? A comparison of three-year versus four-year hospitality programs. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education. 23. p. 70–81.

Wunderman Thompson (2020). Generation Z Behaviors. Retrieved March 16, 2022 from https://www.

marketingoops.com/reports/behaviors/7-attitudes-and-behaviour-gen-z-thailand/

Wong, M. C. (2021). Does corporate social responsibility affect Generation Z purchase intention in the food industry. Asian Journal of Business Ethics. 10. p. 391-407.

Work Venture. (2021). Top 50 Companies Gen Y intends to Work with in 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2022 from สุดยอด TOP 50 บริษัท ที่คนรุ่นใหม่อยากร่วมงานด้วยมากที่สุดในปี 2020