Instrumental and Symbolic Attributes Influencing Academic Job Seekers
An Integrative Model
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22006965 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Heng Chu (0009-0004-2958-8669, Kunming University, corresponding author), Wenjun Yang (0000-0001-6889-7318, Yunnan Yingmao Biotechnology (China)), Chunli Ji (0000-0003-4749-8419, Macao Polytechnic University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | SAGE Open (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/21582440251403789 |
| OpenAlex | W4416905014 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 71 |
This study aims to fill the research gap in understanding the factors influencing job-pursuit intentions towards higher education institutions. Drawing on the instrumental-symbolic theory, it constructs an integrative model to explore how quality of work-life expectancy, career development opportunities, university reputation, and perceived person-organisation fit affect job seekers’ intentions. A quantitative research method was employed, targeting master’s and doctoral degree job seekers in China. Data were collected through non-random sampling, yielding 518 valid samples. The results support the theoretical model, with significant relationships found between the variables. Quality of work-life expectancy and career development opportunities, as instrumental attributes, along with university reputation as a symbolic attribute, influence perceived person-organisation fit and job pursuit intentions. The mediating role of perceived person-organisation fit is also confirmed. Theoretically, this study broadens the understanding of the instrumental-symbolic theory and person-organisation fit theory in the context of academic job pursuit. Practically, it provides strategies for organisations, especially universities, to enhance human resource management and talent acquisition
Expectancy theory · Human resource management · Job design · Reputation · Seekers · Higher Education and Employability · Human Resource and Talent Management · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |