Gen Z Student Expectations Towards Employer Attractiveness

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine Generation Z management students' perceptions as to what factors would attract them to seek a career in an organization, and their expectations in this context. Over 330 students from both first- and second-year management programs participated in the self-administered printed questionnaire based on 25-item employer attractiveness scale and included additional items like choosing the top five items from the 25 list. A focus group discussion was also undertaken to determine what the perceived benefit to the students was for each of the 25 items would deliver to them. The study also compared the findings with published research and notes the common factors in terms of employer branding, employee engagement industry studies on work and links to other models like Herzberg's hygiene factors. The results were compared to similar studies conducted in Sri Lanka and Australia and substantive similarities were reported.