Umit Alniacik | Kocaeli University (original) (raw)
Papers by Umit Alniacik
The study shows how positive and negative information on corporate social and environmental respo... more The study shows how positive and negative information on corporate social and environmental responsibility influences purchase, employment, and investment intentions of various stakeholders. We manipulated the information on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of a hypothetical firm in a between-subjects experimental design. The design had two treatments. In the ‘positive CSR’ treatment, the company's social and environmental performance was described in a positive perspective (depicting a strong social performance), whereas in the ‘negative CSR’ treatment it was described in a negative perspective (depicting a weak social performance). In both treatments, information about other key characteristics of the focal company were kept constant. Respondents' intentions to purchase products from, seek employment with, and invest in the company were evaluated by multi-item scales. The results demonstrate that positive CSR information about a firm enhances consumers' intentions to purchase products from, potential employees' intentions to seek employment with, and potential investors' intentions to invest in the company. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
This study investigates the influences of claim specificity, the product`s environmental relevanc... more This study investigates the influences of claim specificity, the product`s environmental relevance, and the respondents` proenvironmental orientation on the effectiveness of green advertising among Turkish consumers. An experimental study is conducted using hypothetical print advertisements for two product categories (laundry machines as a high relevance product; DVD player as a low relevance product). Findings indicate that the specificity of the green claim does not exert a significant effect on consumer evaluations towards high relevance product advertisement, while specific green claims significantly improve the communication effectiveness of the low environmental relevance product advertisement. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental ... more Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental studies probing the relation between business ethics and perceived firm value are relatively scarce. Accordingly, in this study we examined how unfair business practices affect customers' perceptions about and intentions towards a company. For this aim, we conducted an experimental study on 406 university students. We used an excerpt to manipulate the information about a hypothetical bank's way of treatment to its customers (neutral vs. unfair). Than, we examined how different types of information do affect prospective customers' evaluations of firm reputation and their intentions to purchase services from the narrated bank. Data analysis revealed that, providing information about unethical business practices of a firm significantly decreased the perceived firm reputation and intentions to purchase services.
Career motivation theory (London, 1983), applies motivation theory to understanding career plans,... more Career motivation theory (London, 1983), applies motivation theory to understanding career plans, behaviors and decisions of employees, such as searching for and accepting a job, deciding to stay with an organization, revising career plans, seeking new job experiences, and setting and trying to accomplish career goals. Career motivation is defined in terms of three major components: career resilience, career insight and career identity. Each component has multiple elements. Understanding how each element is related to employees’ affective commitment to the organization and their job satisfaction may help fostering employee motivation and improve the effectiveness of human resources. To date, there have been several conceptual studies theorizing the content and construct of career motivation. However, there has been limited empirical work to examine the relationship between the elements of career motivation and key employee behavior such as employment and turnover intentions, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and work performance. Accordingly, this study examines the relationships between the components of career motivation, employees’ affective commitment and their job satisfaction, while controlling their demographic characteristics such as age, gender, income and organizational tenure. For this aim, we conducted a field research on 250 employees working in various industries. Research results showed that career motivation has a positive correlation with organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Individual characteristics except respondents’ gender did not exert any significant association with career motivation. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
Attracting and retaining talented human capital become one of the very sources of competitive adv... more Attracting and retaining talented human capital become one of the very sources of competitive advantage. In order to attract better employees, firms recently started using branding principles and practices in the area of human resources management. The application of branding principles to HRM has been termed as employer branding. Firms appear to be expending considerable resources on employer branding campaigns, indicating that they find value in the practice. Consequently, the concept of employer branding has become a prominent topic in the HRM field. This study attempts to identify the dimensions of attractiveness in employer branding, to examine their perceived importance levels and to contrast perceptual differences (if any) regarding the age, gender and current employment status of the respondents. In order to respond to these questions, a field study is conducted and data is collected from a convenience sample of 600 adults (half of them were employed and the other half were un-employed college students at the time of data collection). Analyses results indicated significant differences between the perceived levels of importance of employer attractiveness dimensions concerning the gender of the respondents, but neither the age nor the current employment status of them. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Corporate reputation is a multifaceted concept that encompasses several components. Each componen... more Corporate reputation is a multifaceted concept that encompasses several components. Each component has prominent effects on different stakeholders. This study shows how different components of corporate reputation influences potential employees ’ intentions. We manipulated different aspects of a hypothetical firm’s reputation in a between-subjects experimental design with seven treatments. In each treatment, one aspect of corporate reputation was negatively manipulated. Results of hierarchical regression analysis provide strong support for our central research thesis; among the six corporate reputation dimensions, workplace conditions is found to exert the strongest effect on potential employees ’ intentions to seek employment with a company. Managerial and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
The concept of corporate reputation has gained a great deal of popularity among business practiti... more The concept of corporate reputation has gained a great deal of popularity among business practitioners and academicians in recent decades, because it is believed that corporate reputation is an important asset which may affect the evaluations of various stakeholders about the company. A favorable reputation may attract affluent consumers, talented workers and generous investors to the company. Indeed, a strong reputation is a strategic resource which is valuable, scarce and very difficult to imitate, though providing a sustainable positional advantage for the company. Nevertheless, research on the relationship between corporate reputation and employee behavior is relatively scarce. Only a limited number of empirical studies have tackled with the link between corporate reputation and employee behavior such as employment and turnover intentions, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and work performance. Accordingly, in this study, we examined the independent and joint effects of (a) company's perceived reputation (b) employees’ affective commitment and (c) job satisfaction on turnover intentions of its employees. For this aim, we conducted a field research on 220 employees working in the higher education industry. Research results showed that perceived organizational reputation has a positive correlation with organizational commitment and job satisfaction whereas it has a significant negative correlation with turnover intentions. However, when they are jointly included in a multiple regression analysis, perceived corporate reputation surprisingly exerted a positive effect on turnover intentions. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
The objectives of this study is to find out the principal components of corporate reputation, to ... more The objectives of this study is to find out the principal components of corporate reputation, to determine perceived importance levels of each component and to test whether the perceived importance levels are affected by respondents’ demographic characteristics. An exploratory field research is conducted on university students studying at Kocaeli University and Balıkesir University. Data is obtained from a convenience sample of 972 students, by using a questionnaire. After testing scale validity and reliability, analysis of variance is used to test whether the perceived importance levels of the components of corporate reputation vary according to basic demographic factors of the respondents. “Workplace Environment” is found to be perceived as the most important component of corporate reputation. Successively, “Quality of Products and Services “Vision and Leadership”, “Emotional Appeal” and “Social and Environmental Responsibility” comes in order.
akademikpersonel.kocaeli.edu.tr
Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental ... more Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental studies probing the relation between business ethics and perceived firm value are relatively scarce. Accordingly, in this study we examined how unfair business practices affect customers’ perceptions about and intentions towards a company. For this aim, we
conducted an experimental study on 406 university students. We used an excerpt to manipulate the information about a hypothetical bank’s way of treatment to its customers (neutral vs. unfair). Than, we examined how different types of information do affect prospective customers’ evaluations of firm reputation and their intentions to purchase
services from the narrated bank. Data analysis revealed that, providing information about unethical business practices of a firm significantly decreased the perceived firm reputation and intentions to purchase services.
akademikpersonel.kocaeli.edu.tr
akademikbakis.org
... have discussed the use of marketing by political parties for over 40 years (Glick, 1967; McGi... more ... have discussed the use of marketing by political parties for over 40 years (Glick, 1967; McGinnis, 1969; Nimmo, 1970; Shama, 1973; Kotler ... Source: A. Hamdi Islamoglu, Siyaset Pazarlamasi Toplam Kalite Yaklasimi, 2.Ed., Beta Basim Yayim Dagitim AS, Istanbul, 2002, s.24. ...
akademikpersonel.kocaeli.edu.tr
The study shows how positive and negative information on corporate social and environmental respo... more The study shows how positive and negative information on corporate social and environmental responsibility influences purchase, employment, and investment intentions of various stakeholders. We manipulated the information on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of a hypothetical firm in a between-subjects experimental design. The design had two treatments. In the ‘positive CSR’ treatment, the company's social and environmental performance was described in a positive perspective (depicting a strong social performance), whereas in the ‘negative CSR’ treatment it was described in a negative perspective (depicting a weak social performance). In both treatments, information about other key characteristics of the focal company were kept constant. Respondents' intentions to purchase products from, seek employment with, and invest in the company were evaluated by multi-item scales. The results demonstrate that positive CSR information about a firm enhances consumers' intentions to purchase products from, potential employees' intentions to seek employment with, and potential investors' intentions to invest in the company. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
This study investigates the influences of claim specificity, the product`s environmental relevanc... more This study investigates the influences of claim specificity, the product`s environmental relevance, and the respondents` proenvironmental orientation on the effectiveness of green advertising among Turkish consumers. An experimental study is conducted using hypothetical print advertisements for two product categories (laundry machines as a high relevance product; DVD player as a low relevance product). Findings indicate that the specificity of the green claim does not exert a significant effect on consumer evaluations towards high relevance product advertisement, while specific green claims significantly improve the communication effectiveness of the low environmental relevance product advertisement. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental ... more Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental studies probing the relation between business ethics and perceived firm value are relatively scarce. Accordingly, in this study we examined how unfair business practices affect customers' perceptions about and intentions towards a company. For this aim, we conducted an experimental study on 406 university students. We used an excerpt to manipulate the information about a hypothetical bank's way of treatment to its customers (neutral vs. unfair). Than, we examined how different types of information do affect prospective customers' evaluations of firm reputation and their intentions to purchase services from the narrated bank. Data analysis revealed that, providing information about unethical business practices of a firm significantly decreased the perceived firm reputation and intentions to purchase services.
Career motivation theory (London, 1983), applies motivation theory to understanding career plans,... more Career motivation theory (London, 1983), applies motivation theory to understanding career plans, behaviors and decisions of employees, such as searching for and accepting a job, deciding to stay with an organization, revising career plans, seeking new job experiences, and setting and trying to accomplish career goals. Career motivation is defined in terms of three major components: career resilience, career insight and career identity. Each component has multiple elements. Understanding how each element is related to employees’ affective commitment to the organization and their job satisfaction may help fostering employee motivation and improve the effectiveness of human resources. To date, there have been several conceptual studies theorizing the content and construct of career motivation. However, there has been limited empirical work to examine the relationship between the elements of career motivation and key employee behavior such as employment and turnover intentions, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and work performance. Accordingly, this study examines the relationships between the components of career motivation, employees’ affective commitment and their job satisfaction, while controlling their demographic characteristics such as age, gender, income and organizational tenure. For this aim, we conducted a field research on 250 employees working in various industries. Research results showed that career motivation has a positive correlation with organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Individual characteristics except respondents’ gender did not exert any significant association with career motivation. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
Attracting and retaining talented human capital become one of the very sources of competitive adv... more Attracting and retaining talented human capital become one of the very sources of competitive advantage. In order to attract better employees, firms recently started using branding principles and practices in the area of human resources management. The application of branding principles to HRM has been termed as employer branding. Firms appear to be expending considerable resources on employer branding campaigns, indicating that they find value in the practice. Consequently, the concept of employer branding has become a prominent topic in the HRM field. This study attempts to identify the dimensions of attractiveness in employer branding, to examine their perceived importance levels and to contrast perceptual differences (if any) regarding the age, gender and current employment status of the respondents. In order to respond to these questions, a field study is conducted and data is collected from a convenience sample of 600 adults (half of them were employed and the other half were un-employed college students at the time of data collection). Analyses results indicated significant differences between the perceived levels of importance of employer attractiveness dimensions concerning the gender of the respondents, but neither the age nor the current employment status of them. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Corporate reputation is a multifaceted concept that encompasses several components. Each componen... more Corporate reputation is a multifaceted concept that encompasses several components. Each component has prominent effects on different stakeholders. This study shows how different components of corporate reputation influences potential employees ’ intentions. We manipulated different aspects of a hypothetical firm’s reputation in a between-subjects experimental design with seven treatments. In each treatment, one aspect of corporate reputation was negatively manipulated. Results of hierarchical regression analysis provide strong support for our central research thesis; among the six corporate reputation dimensions, workplace conditions is found to exert the strongest effect on potential employees ’ intentions to seek employment with a company. Managerial and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
The concept of corporate reputation has gained a great deal of popularity among business practiti... more The concept of corporate reputation has gained a great deal of popularity among business practitioners and academicians in recent decades, because it is believed that corporate reputation is an important asset which may affect the evaluations of various stakeholders about the company. A favorable reputation may attract affluent consumers, talented workers and generous investors to the company. Indeed, a strong reputation is a strategic resource which is valuable, scarce and very difficult to imitate, though providing a sustainable positional advantage for the company. Nevertheless, research on the relationship between corporate reputation and employee behavior is relatively scarce. Only a limited number of empirical studies have tackled with the link between corporate reputation and employee behavior such as employment and turnover intentions, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and work performance. Accordingly, in this study, we examined the independent and joint effects of (a) company's perceived reputation (b) employees’ affective commitment and (c) job satisfaction on turnover intentions of its employees. For this aim, we conducted a field research on 220 employees working in the higher education industry. Research results showed that perceived organizational reputation has a positive correlation with organizational commitment and job satisfaction whereas it has a significant negative correlation with turnover intentions. However, when they are jointly included in a multiple regression analysis, perceived corporate reputation surprisingly exerted a positive effect on turnover intentions. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
The objectives of this study is to find out the principal components of corporate reputation, to ... more The objectives of this study is to find out the principal components of corporate reputation, to determine perceived importance levels of each component and to test whether the perceived importance levels are affected by respondents’ demographic characteristics. An exploratory field research is conducted on university students studying at Kocaeli University and Balıkesir University. Data is obtained from a convenience sample of 972 students, by using a questionnaire. After testing scale validity and reliability, analysis of variance is used to test whether the perceived importance levels of the components of corporate reputation vary according to basic demographic factors of the respondents. “Workplace Environment” is found to be perceived as the most important component of corporate reputation. Successively, “Quality of Products and Services “Vision and Leadership”, “Emotional Appeal” and “Social and Environmental Responsibility” comes in order.
akademikpersonel.kocaeli.edu.tr
Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental ... more Ethics has become an attractive research topic in the business literature. However, experimental studies probing the relation between business ethics and perceived firm value are relatively scarce. Accordingly, in this study we examined how unfair business practices affect customers’ perceptions about and intentions towards a company. For this aim, we
conducted an experimental study on 406 university students. We used an excerpt to manipulate the information about a hypothetical bank’s way of treatment to its customers (neutral vs. unfair). Than, we examined how different types of information do affect prospective customers’ evaluations of firm reputation and their intentions to purchase
services from the narrated bank. Data analysis revealed that, providing information about unethical business practices of a firm significantly decreased the perceived firm reputation and intentions to purchase services.
akademikpersonel.kocaeli.edu.tr
akademikbakis.org
... have discussed the use of marketing by political parties for over 40 years (Glick, 1967; McGi... more ... have discussed the use of marketing by political parties for over 40 years (Glick, 1967; McGinnis, 1969; Nimmo, 1970; Shama, 1973; Kotler ... Source: A. Hamdi Islamoglu, Siyaset Pazarlamasi Toplam Kalite Yaklasimi, 2.Ed., Beta Basim Yayim Dagitim AS, Istanbul, 2002, s.24. ...
akademikpersonel.kocaeli.edu.tr