The Kenexa Research Institute Answers The Question: Why Do People Join Organizations?

Research conducted by the Kenexa Research Institute (KRI) asked workers what their reasons were for joining their current organization. The report analyzes data drawn from a representative sample of workers surveyed through WorkTrendsô, KRIís 2008 annual survey of worker opinions.

For years, there have been many speculations as to why people accept a job with a new organization. While KRIís research confirms that there are a variety of reasons people join organizations, for all workers surveyed, two top items emerged as critical decision points. After the most obvious ñcompensationñ an organizationís reputation was the most important reason why employees accepted their current job offer.

An organizationís reputation consists of a variety of characteristics, including their involvement in corporate responsibility initiatives, product quality or profitability. The survey results revealed that senior managers and sales people placed the most value on the organizationís reputation in weighing an employment offer, as did employees in India, Italy, Russia and Brazil.

ìThe correlation between the organizationís reputation and successful recruiting efforts strongly supports the importance of employment branding,î said Jack Wiley, executive director of the Kenexa Research Institute. ìItís not about each individual job offer ñ this research highlights the value of presenting and maintaining positive brand messaging to the potential employee talent pool.î He continued, ìInvesting in living organizational values, whether itís profitability, longevity or social good, and then communicating the fulfillment of these goals is an impactful way to attract and align engaged employees.î