Problem background: The voluntary turnover of employees is increasing, the baby boomer generation is retiring and the remaining jobs are to be filled with the workforce left behind, a workforce that is smaller in size. These younger generations (generation Y and Z) have different values and attitudes towards work, and they tend to switch jobs more frequently. This means that companies needs to focus on retaining their personnel. This is particularly true for SMEs since they do not have the same resources to spend on attracting potential workers as larger corporations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how SMEs use employer branding to retain young employees (18-30 years old) in their organization and how it is perceived. Theoretical framework: Consists of theories regarding employer branding and organizational behaviour. These include signaling theory, functional and symbolic attributes, the seven brand value propositions and organizational reputation. Methodology: The authors has used a deductive qualitative approach where a total of 14 semi structured interviews has been conducted. Seven of the interviews were performed on employees between the age of 18-30 years old from three different companies. The remaining seven were performed on management personnel from the same three companies. The respondents answered a questionnaire at the end of each interview. Empirical results: Contains a summary of each company that were involved as well as what was discussed and uncovered in the interviews. Analysis: It connects the empirical results and the theoretical framework. The found discrepancies and similarities are discussed and analyzed with the seven brand value propositions based on the theoretical framework. Conclusion: It was concluded that there exists a discrepancy between Workers and Management when it comes to the time the Workers are willing to stay. It was also uncovered that development was an important aspect when it came to the young employees turnover intention as well as flexible schedules, support from management, salaries and varying work tasks. The reputation of the companies was also not accurate which in turn could affect the matching potential between organization and individual.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hh-39677 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | Krona, Theodor, Virbert Kronqvist, Emil |
| Publisher | Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för ekonomi, teknik och naturvetenskap, Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för ekonomi, teknik och naturvetenskap |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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