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How Benefit Information and Demographics Influence Employee Recruiting in Mexico

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the impact of benefit information in recruitment advertisements on job pursuit intentions.

Design/Methodology/Approach

We collected data from maquiladora workers in Mexico (N = 186).

Findings

We found that ads offering detailed descriptions of benefits increased applicants’ job pursuit intentions more than ads that simply offered fringe benefits better than those required by law. In turn, ads that offered benefits better than those required by law increased job pursuit intentions more than ads that offered benefits only equal to the law. Benefit information was especially attractive to married employees.

Implications

Since applicants are differentially receptive to varied benefit information provided in recruiting advertisements, the content of the advertisement should be carefully analyzed. The return on investment in using this recruiting source may show that advertising specific benefits may significantly increase the pool of applicants when compared to other recruiting sources. In addition, this study offers human resources professionals empirical evidence that the content of the advertisements related to fringe benefits can influence the job pursuit intentions of applicants. Also, by including specific messages, the job pursuit intentions of married applicants can be increased.

Originality/Value

This study shows that benefit information in recruitment advertisements is important in a context where benefits represent a high percentage of total employee compensation.

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Acknowledgment

The first author received support to develop this research by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0245071.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marketing and Management, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968-0539, USA

    María Fernanda García & Richard A. Posthuma

  2. Delphi Corporation, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

    Manuel Quiñones

Authors
  1. María Fernanda García
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  2. Richard A. Posthuma
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  3. Manuel Quiñones
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to María Fernanda García.

Additional information

Received and reviewed by former editor, George Neuman.

Appendix 1: Text of Advertisements

Appendix 1: Text of Advertisements

English Version

PRODUCTION MANUFACTURER IS SOLICITING OPERATORS

Requirements:

Completed grade school

Sex: Male or Female

Two copies of birth certificate

Social Security card or proof of registration with Social Security

Photo ID

We offer:

Good working environment

Ad 1: :

[Benefits better than those required by law]

Ad 2: :

[Benefits required by law]

Ad 3: :

[Grocery coupons bonus

Attendance bonus

Punctuality bonus

Cafeteria benefit]

Spanish Version

EMPRESA DE MANUFACTURA DE PRODUCCION ESTA SOLICITANDO OPERADORES

Requisitos:

Primaria terminada

Sexo: Masculino o Femenino

Dos copias de Acta de Nacimiento

Hoja rosa o número de afiliación del Seguro Social (con comprobante)

Identificación con fotografía

Ofrecemos:

Buen ambiente de trabajo

Ad 1: :

[Prestaciones superiores a las de ley]

Ad 2: :

[Prestaciones igual a la ley]

Ad 3: :

[Bono de Despensa

Bono de Asistencia

Bono de Puntualidad

Servicio de Cafetería]

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García, M.F., Posthuma, R.A. & Quiñones, M. How Benefit Information and Demographics Influence Employee Recruiting in Mexico. J Bus Psychol 25, 523–531 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-010-9175-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-010-9175-4

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