Corporate Reputation Review

, Volume 13, Issue 4, pp 248–263 | Cite as

The Relationship between Perceived External Prestige and Turnover Intention: An Empirical Investigation

  • Aydem Ciftcioglu
Academic Research
First Online:

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between students’ external university prestige perception and their intention to remain or drop out. This study was carried out among 318 university students. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the relationship between perceived external prestige and turnover intention using competing configuration models. The results reveal that perceived external prestige has an indirect and negative impact on turnover intention through the partially mediating effect of affective commitment to their universtity and group-based self-esteem. Analysis also showed that cognitive organizational identification did not have any impact on students’ turnover intention, which was an unexpected result. The implications of the findings and directions for future research are also discussed.

Keywords

affective commitment group-based self-esteem organizational identification perceived external prestige turnover intention 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Abrams, D. and Hogg, M.A. (1988) ‘Comments on the motivational status of self-esteem in social identity and intergroup discrimination’, European Journal of Social Psychology, 18 (4), 317–334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Archambault, I., Janosz, M., Fallu, J.-S. and Pagani, L.S. (2009) ‘Student engagement and its relationship with early high school dropout’, Journal of Adolescence, 32 (3), 651–670.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Arpan, L., Raney, A. and Zivnuska, S. (2003) ‘A cognitive approach to understanding university image’, Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 8 (2), 97–113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Ashforth, B.E. and Mael, F. (1989) ‘Social identity theory and the organization’, Academy of Management Review, 14 (1), 20–39.Google Scholar
  5. Astin, A.W. (1999) ‘Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education’, Journal of College Student Development, 40 (5), 518–529.Google Scholar
  6. Bamber, E.M. and Iyer, V.M. (2002) ‘Big 5 auditors’ professional and organizational identification: Consistency or conflict’, A Journal of Practice and Theory, 21 (2), 21–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Bartels, J., Pruyn, A., Jong, M.D. and Joustra, I. (2007) ‘Multiple organizational identification levels and the impact of perceived external prestige and communication climate’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 28, 173–190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Bean, J.P. (1985) ‘Interaction effects based on class level in an explanatory model of college student dropout syndrome’, American Educational Research Journal, 22 (1), 35–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Bennett, R. (2003) ‘Determinants of undergraduate student drop out rates in a university business studies department’, Journal of Further and Higher Education, 27 (2), 123–141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Bergami, M. and Bagozzi, R.P. (2000) ‘Self-categorization, affective commitment and group self-esteem as distinct aspects of social identity in organization’, British Journal of Social Psychology, 39, 555–577.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Bhattacharya, C.B., Roa, H. and Glynn, M.A. (1995) ‘Understanding the bond of identification: An investigation of its correlates Among art museum members’, Journal of Marketing, 59 (4), 46–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Blau, G. (1987) ‘Locus of control as a potential moderator of the turnover process’, Journal of Occupational Psychology, 60 (11), 21–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Blau, G. (1988) ‘Testing generalizability of a career commitment and its impact on employee turnover’, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 35, 88–193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Blau, G. (2007) ‘Does a corresponding set of variables for explaining voluntary organizational turnover transfer to explaining voluntary occupational turnover?’ Journal of Vocational Behavior, 70, 135–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. Blau, G., Tatum, S.D. and Ward-Cook, K. (2003) ‘Correlates of professional versus organizational withdrawal cognitions’, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63, 72–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Boezeman, E.J. and Ellemers, N. (2008) ‘Pride and respect in volunteers’ organizational commitment’, European Journal of Social Psychology, 38, 159–172.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. Brewer, M.B., Manzi, J.M. and Shaw, J.S. (1993) ‘In-group identification as a function of depersonalization distinctiveness and status’, American Psychological Society, 4 (2), 88–92.Google Scholar
  18. Carmeli, A. (2005a) ‘Perceived external prestige, affective commitment and citizenship behavior’, Organizational Studies, 26 (3), 443–464.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Carmeli, A. (2005b) ‘Exploring determinants of job involvement an empirical test among senior executives’, International Journal of Manpower, 26 (5), 457–471.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Carmeli, A. and Freund, A. (2002) ‘The relationship between work and workplace attitudes and perceived external prestige’, Corporate Reputation Review, 5 (1), 51–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Carmeli, A., Gilat, G. and Weisberg, J. (2006) ‘Perceived external prestige, organizational identification and affective commitment: A stakeholder approach’, Corporate Reputation Review, 9 (1), 92–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Casio Wayne, F. (1991) Costing Human Resources: Financial Impact of Behaviour on Organizations, Prentice-Hall, Cincinnati, OH.Google Scholar
  23. Cialdini, R.B., Borden, R.J., Thorne, A., Walker, M.R., Freeman, S. and Sloan, L.R. (1976) ‘Basking in reflected glory: Three (football) field studies’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34, 366–375.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Cohen, A. (1992) ‘Antecedents of the organizational commitment across occupational groups: A meta- analysis’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13, 539–558.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. Cohen, A. (1993) ‘Organizational commitment and turnover: A meta-analysis’, The Academy of Management Journal, 36 (5), 1140–1157.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. Cole, M. and Bruch, H. (2006) ‘Organizational identity strength, identification, and commitment and their relationships to turnover intention: Does organizational hierarchy matter?’ Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27, 585–605.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. Cone, A.L. and Owens, S.K. (1991) ‘Academic and locus of control enhancement in a freshman study skills and college adjustment course’, Psychological Reports, 68 (2), 1211–1217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Cotton, J.L. and Tuttle, J.M. (1986) ‘Employee turnover: A meta-analysis and review with implications for research’, The Academy of Management Review, 11 (1), 55–70.Google Scholar
  29. Curry, P.J., Wakefield, S.D., Price, L.J. and Mueller, W.C. (1986) ‘On the causal ordering of job satisfaction and organizational commitment’, The Academy of Management Journal, 29 (4), 847–858.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  30. Davies, P. (2000) Student Retention in Further Education: A Problem of Quality or of Student Finance?, Further Education Development Agency, London.Google Scholar
  31. Dukerich, J.M., Golden, B.R. and Shortell, S.M. (2002) ‘Keeping an eye on the beholder: The impact of organizational identification, identity and image on the cooperative behaviors of physicians’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 47, 507–533.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. Dutton, J.E. and Dukerich, J.M. (1991) ‘Keeping an eye on the mirror: The role of image and identity in organizational adaptation’, Academy Of Management Journal, 34, 517–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Dutton, J.E., Dukerich, J.M. and Harquail, C.V. (1994) ‘Organizational image and member identification’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 39 (2), 239–263.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Ellemers, N., Ad van, K., Nanne De, V. and Henk, W. (1988) ‘Social identification and permeability of group boundaries’, European Journal of Social Psychology, 18 (6), 497–513.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  35. Ellemers, N., Kortekaas, P. and Ouwerkerk, J.W. (1999) ‘Self-categorization, commitment to the group and group self-esteem as related but distinct aspects of social identity’, European Journal of Social Psychology, 29, 371–389.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  36. Ellemers, N., Spears, R. and Doosje, B. (2002) ‘Self and social identity';, Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 161–186.Google Scholar
  37. Elsbach, K.D. and Kramer, R.M. (1996) ‘Members’ responses to organizational identity threats: Encountering and countering the business week rankings’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 41, 442–476.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. Finn, D.J. (1989) ‘Withdrawing from school’, Review of Educational Research, 59 (2), 117–142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  39. Freund, A. (2006) ‘Work and workplace attitudes on social workers: Do they predict organizational reputation?’ Business and Society Review, 111 (1), 67–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. Gautam, T., Van Dick, R. and Wagner, U. (2004) ‘Organizational identification and organizational commitment, distinct aspects of two related concepts’, Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 7 (3), 301–360.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  41. Griffeth, R.W., Hom Peter, W. and Gaertner, S. (2000) ‘A meta-analysis of antecedents and correlates of employee turnover: Update moderator tests, and research implications for the next millennium';, Journal of Management, 26, 463–488.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  42. Herrbach, O. (2006) ‘A matter of feeling? The affective tone of organizational commitment and identification’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27, 629–643.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. Herrbach, O., Mignonac, K. and Gatignon, A.L. (2004) ‘Exploring the role of perceived external prestige in managers turnover intentions’, International Journal of Human Resources Management, 15 (8), 1390–1407.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. Hogg, M. (2004) ‘Social categorization, depersonalization and group behavior’, in M. Brewer and M. Hewstone (eds.), Self and Social Identity, Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA, pp. 203–231.Google Scholar
  45. Hogg, M.A. and Terry, D.J. (2000) ‘Social identity and self-categorization processes in organizational contexts’, The Academy of Management Review, 25 (1), 121–140.Google Scholar
  46. Ivy, J. (2001) ‘Higher education institution image: A correspondence analysis approach’, International Journal of Educational Management, 15 (6), 276–282.Google Scholar
  47. Joreskog, K.G. (1996) Testing Structural Equation Models, in K. Bollen and L. Scott (eds.), Sage Publications, London.Google Scholar
  48. Kirschenbaum, D.S. and Perri, M.G. (1982) ‘Improving academic competence in adults: A review of recent research’, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 29 (1), 76–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  49. Kline, R. (1998) Principles and Practices of Structural Equation Modeling, The Guilford Press, New York.Google Scholar
  50. Korsgaard, M.A and Roberson, L. (1995) ‘Procedural justice in performance evaluation: The role of instrumental and non-instrumental voice in performance appraisal discussions’, Journal of Management, 21 (4), 657–669, http://jom.sagepub.com/search?author1=M.+Audrey+Korsgaard&sortspec=date&submit=Submit, http://jom.sagepub.com/search?author1=Loriann+Roberson&sortspec=date&submit=Submit.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  51. Landrum, R.E., Turrisi, R. and Harless, C. (1999) ‘University image: The benefits of assessment and modeling’, Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 9 (1), 53–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  52. Lee, T.W. and Mitchell, T.R. (1994) ‘An alternative approach: The unfolding model of voluntary employee turnover’, The Academy of Management Review, 19 (1), 51–89.Google Scholar
  53. Lee, T.W., Mitchell, T.R., Wise, L. and Fireman, S. (1996) ‘An unfolding model of voluntary employee turnover’, The Academy of Management Journal, 39 (1), 5–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  54. Lee, T.W. and Mowday, R.T. (1987) ‘Leaving the organization: An empirical investigation of the Steers and Mowday (1981) model of turnover’, Academy of Management Journal, 30, 721–743.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  55. Lipponen, J., Helkama, K., Olkkonen, M.E. and Juslin, M. (2005) ‘Predicting the different profiles of organizational identification: A case of shipyard subcontractors’, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 78, 97–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  56. Mael, F. (1988) ‘Organizational identification: Construct redefinition and a field application with organization alumni’, Unpublished PhD dissertation, Wayne State University, Detroit.Google Scholar
  57. Mael, F. and Ashforth, B.E. (1992) ‘Alumni and their alma mater: A partial test of the reformulated model of organizational identification’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13, 103–123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  58. Mael, F.A. and Ashforth, B.E. (1995) ‘Loyal from day one: Biodata, organizational identification and turnover among newcomers’, Personnel Psychology, 45, 309–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  59. Marsh, M.R. and Mannari, H. (1977) ‘Organizational commitment and turnover: A prediction study’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 22 (1), 57–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  60. Martin, T.N. (1979) ‘A contextual model of employee turnover intention’, The Academy of Management Journal, 22 (2), 313–324.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  61. Mathieu, J.E. and Zajac, D.M. (1990) ‘A review and meta-anaysis of the antecedent, correlates and consequences of organizational commitment’, Psychological Bulletin, 108 (2), 177–181.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  62. Medway, J. and Penney, R. (1994) Factors Affecting Successful Completion: The Isle of Wight College, Further Education Unit, London.Google Scholar
  63. Meyer, J.P. and Allen, N.J. (1991) ‘A three-component conceptualization of organizational commitment’, Human Resource Management Review, 1 (1), 61–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  64. Meyer, J.P., Allen, N.J. and Smith, C.A. (1993) ‘Commitment to organizations and occupations: Extension and test of a three-component conceptualization’, Journal of Applied Psychology, 78 (4), 538–551.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  65. Meyer, J.P., Stanley, D.J., Herscovitch, L. and Topolnytsky, L. (2002) ‘Affective, continuous and normative commitment to the organization: A meta-analysis of antecedents, correlates and consequences’, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 61, 20–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  66. Mignonac, K., Herrbach, O. and Guerrero, S. (2006) ‘The interactive effects of perceived external prestige and need for organizational identification on turnover intentions’, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69, 477–493.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  67. Mobley, W.H. (1977) ‘Intermediate linkages in the relationship between job satisfaction and employee turnover’, Journal of Applied Psychology, 11, 237–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  68. Mobley, W.H. (1982) ‘Some unanswered questions in turnover with withdrawn research’, The Academy of Management Review, 7 (1), 111–116.Google Scholar
  69. Moore, J.E. (2000) ‘One road to turnover: An examination of work exhaustion in technology professionals’, MIS Quarterly, 24 (1), 141–168.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  70. Morrow, M.J., Doyle, K., Ogletree, R.J. and Parson, N.P. (1995) ‘Adult learners in undergraduate health education professional education programs: Planning for now and the future’, Journal of Health Education, 26, 333–337.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  71. Mowday, R.T., Porter, L.W. and Steers, R.M. (1982) Employee-organization Linkages: The Psychology of Commitment, Absenteeism, and Turnover, Academic Press, New York.Google Scholar
  72. Mulaik, S.A., James, L.R., Van Alstine, J., Bennett, N., Lind, S. and Stillwell, C.D. (1989) ‘An evaluation of goodness of fit indices for structural equation’, Psychological Bulletin, 105 (3), 430–445.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  73. Natriello, G. (1984) ‘Problems in the evaluation of students and student disengagement from secondary schools’, Journal of Research and Development in Education, 17, 14–24.Google Scholar
  74. Ouwerkerk, W., Ellemers, N. and de Gilder, D. (1999) ‘Group commitment and individual effort in experimental and organizational contexts’, in Ellemers, N., Spears, R. and Doasje, B. (eds.), Social Identity, Basil Blackwell, Oxford.Google Scholar
  75. Palacio, A.B., Meneses, G.D. and Perez, P.J.P. (2002) ‘The configuration of the university image and its relationship with the satisfaction of students’, Journal of Educational Administration, 40 (5), 486–505.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  76. Parameswaran, R. and Glowacka, A.E. (1995) ‘University image: An information processing perspective’, Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 1540–7144 6 (2), 41–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  77. Porter, W.L., Steers, R.M., Mowday, R.T. and Boulian, P.V. (1974) ‘Organizational commitment, job satisfaction and turnover among psychiatric technicians’, Journal of Applied Psychology, 59 (5), 603–609.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  78. Pratt, M.G. (1998) ‘To be or not to be? Central questions in organizational identification', in D.A. Whetten and P.C. Godfrey (eds.), Identity in Organisation, Sage Publications, California.Google Scholar
  79. Price, J.L. (1977) The Study of Turnover, The Iowa State University Press, IA, Ames.Google Scholar
  80. Price, J.L. and Mueller, C.W. (1981) ‘A casual model of turnover for nurses’, The Academy of Management Journal, 24, 543–565.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  81. Randall, D.M. (1990) ‘The consequences of organizational commitment: Methodological investigation’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 11 (5), 361–378.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  82. Riketta, M. (2002) ‘Atitutional organizational commitment and job performance: A meta-analysis’, Journal Of Organizational Behavior, 23, 257–266.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  83. Riketta, M. (2005) ‘Organizational identification: A meta-analysis’, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 66, 358–384.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  84. Schumacker, R.E. and Lomax, R. (1996) A Beginner's Guide to Structural Equation Modeling, Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers, New Jersey.Google Scholar
  85. Select Committee on Education (2001) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmeduemp.htm.
  86. Skinner, E.A. and Belmont, M.J. (1993) ‘Motivation in the classroom: Reciprocal effects of teacher behavior and student engagement across the school year’, Journal of Educational Psychology, 85 (4), 571–581.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  87. Smidts, A., Pruyn, A.T.H. and Van Riel, C.B.M. (2001) ‘The impact of employee communication and perceived external prestige on organizational identification’, Academy of Management Journal, 49 (5), 1051–1062.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  88. Somers, J.M. (1995) ‘Organizational commitment, turnover and absenteeism: An examination of direct and interaction effect’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 16, 49–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  89. Steers, R.M. (1977) ‘Antecedents and outcomes of organizational commitment’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 22 (1), 46–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  90. Tajfel, H. (1982) ‘Social psychology of intergroup relations’, Annual Review of Psychology, 33, 1–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  91. Tett, R.P. and Meyer, J.P. (1993) ‘Job satisfaction, organizational commitment, turnover intention and turnover: Path analyses based on meta analytic findings’, Personnel Psychology, 46, 259–293.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  92. Tinto, V. (1975) ‘Dropout from higher education: A theoretical synthesis of recent research’, Review of Educational Research, 45 (1), 89–125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  93. Treadwell, D.F. and Harrison, T.M. (1994) ‘Conceptualizing and assessing organizational image: Model images, commitment and communication’, Communication Monographs, 61, 63–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  94. Turner, J. and Haslam, S.A. (2001) ‘Social identity, organizations and leadership, group at work, theory and research’, in M.E. Turner (eds.), Groups at Work, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, New Jersey.Google Scholar
  95. Turner, J.C., Brown, R.J. and Tajfel, H. (1979) ‘Social comparison and group interest in in-group favoritism’, European Journal of Social Psychology, 9, 187–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  96. Van Dick, R. and Wagner, U. (2002) ‘Social identification among school teachers: Dimensions, foci and correlates’, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 11 (2), 129–149.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  97. Van Dick, R., Christw, O. and Stellmacherw, J. et al. (2004) ‘Should I stay or should I go? Explaining turnover intentions with organizational identification and job satisfaction’, British Journal of Management, 15, 351–360.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  98. Van Knippenberg, D. and Sleebos, E. (2006) ‘Organizational identification versus organizational commitment: Self-definition, social exchange and job attitudes’, Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27, 571–584.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  99. Van Knippenberg, D. and Van Schie, E.C.M. (2000) ‘Foci and correlates of organizational identification’, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 73, 137–147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  100. Wan-Huggins, N.V., Riordan, M.C. and Griffeth, W.R. (1998) ‘The development and longitudinal test of a model of organizational identification’, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28 (8), 724–749.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  101. Whetten, D.A. and Mackey, A. (2002) ‘A social actor conception of organizational identity and its implications for the study of organizational reputation’, Business & Society, 41 (4), 393–414.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Aydem Ciftcioglu
    • 1
  1. 1.Business Administration DepartmentFaculty of Economics and Administration, Uludag UniversityGorukle/BURSATurkey

Personalised recommendations