Perceptions of Sustainable Organizational Support: Mediating the Effects of Health Supporting Work Environments on Employer Attractiveness

Publication Type

Journal contribution (peer reviewed)

Authors

Merk, J., Büttgen, M.

Year of publication

2016

Published in

Managementforschung

Band/Volume

26/1

ISBN / ISSN / eISSN

2366-6129

DOI

10.1365/s41113-016-0002-3

Page (from - to)

97-119

This study evaluates the impact of a health supporting employer value proposition on employer attractiveness. The authors integrate conservation of resources theory, a salutogenesis approach, and organizational support theory to determine if human resource practices that help employees preserve their physical and mental health, such as health care management, regeneration time, and flextime, might increase employer attractiveness. A sample of 3016 employees report on their perceptions of sustainable organizational support (PSOS) and employer brand related constructs. The results support a full mediation model structure: The perceived availability of health supporting practices has no direct effect on employer attractiveness, but PSOS enhances an employer brand’s prestige, distinctiveness, and trust, such that it fully mediates the relationship between the availability of health supporting practices and employer attractiveness. Thus, PSOS offer a promising tactic in the competition for talent and in addition, a specific employer brand management is necessary to ensure long-term employer attractiveness.