Perceptions of social performance in public enterprises and early job seekers’ intentions to apply

Abstract

This article provides experimental evidence of the relationship between perceptions of social performance (SP) in public enterprises and early job seekers’ intentions to apply for a job. Data were drawn from 297 undergraduate students who were asked to express their perceptions of photographic slides showing various outcomes of SP in public enterprises. The results found that (1) mere observations of SP changed the job seekers’ perception of public enterprises, (2) the changed perceptions affected their intentions to apply for a job, and (3) not all dimensions of SP were equally important to them. SP related to ethical responsibility appeared to have a greater effect on their intentions to apply for a job than other dimensions of SP. The theoretical and practical implications of these experimental findings are discussed.