Human Resource Management 2008

The effect of explanations on prospective applicants reactions to firm diversity practices

Ian O. Williamson^1,2; Holly S. Slay³; Debra L. Shapiro⁴; Sheryl L. Shivers‐Blackwell⁵

¹ Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia (IPRIA) · ² Melbourne Business School, Melbourne, Australia · ³ Seattle University · ⁴ University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business · ⁵ No Affiliation

Abstract

Drawing on the recruitment, marketing, and explanation literatures, we examine how the language used to describe diversity practices in employee recruitment advertisements influences the organizational attractiveness perceptions of white, black, and Asian prospective applicants. Results show that prospective applicants' reactions to advertised support for identity‐conscious diversity practices were moderated by applicants' race, applicants' previous discrimination experiences, and the type of explanation a firm used to support its use of diversity practices. The results of this article provide new insights into how firms can effectively attract a diverse applicant pool.

DOI

10.1002/hrm.20214

Sources

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APA 7 MLA 9 Chicago (author–date) Harvard Elsevier Harvard (JFE, JBF…) The Accounting Review Academy of Management American Marketing Association INFORMS (Management Science) Copy citation Copied ✓