Title: Combining behaviourist and interactionist approaches to explain applicants' attraction to organisations

Authors: Daniel Roque Gomes; José Gonçalves Das Neves

Addresses: Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESEC, Avenida Dr. Marnoco e Sousa, No. 30, 3030 Coimbra, Portugal; CIC-Digital, Center for Research in Communication, Information and Digital Culture, Portugal ' BRU-UNIDE Research Center, ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Edifício ISCTE, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract: This study discusses a model of analysis integrating interactionist and behaviourist theoretical guidance to explain applicants' attraction to organisations. Through confirmatory methodology, we sustain a theoretical model pointing organisational attractiveness and perceived P-O fit as sequential mediators of the path starting on the organisational attributes and explaining intention to apply for a job vacancy. We justify our theoretical model along with a discussion regarding the integration of interactionist and behaviourist theoretical guidance to explain applicants' intention to apply for a vacancy. The main results sustain our theoretical model. The organisational attributes lead to attractiveness of the organisation. This positive affective reaction is critical for prospective applicants to perceive to be fitted to the organisation. This sequence of relations explains applicants' intention to apply for a job vacancy.

Keywords: organisational attributes; organisational attractiveness; intention to apply for a job vacancy; IAJV; person-organisation fit; applicants' attraction; recruitment; interactionist; behaviourist; organisational attraction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2019.100635

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2019 Vol.19 No.3, pp.209 - 224

Accepted: 26 Sep 2017
Published online: 06 Jul 2019 *

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