Implementation intentions as a predictor of applicant withdrawal

Acikgoz Y., SÜMER H. C.

MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY, vol.31, no.5, pp.347-354, 2019 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 31 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/08995605.2019.1637208
  • Journal Name: MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.347-354
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Despite withdrawal from the job application being a serious concern for organizations, limited research exists that examines this phenomenon. Utilizing the broad intention-behavior framework as suggested in the Theory of Planned Behavior, we examined whether the type of intentions formed when applying for a job (i.e., goal vs. implementation intentions) predicts later withdrawal from the job application. Using a field experimental strategy, half of the applicants in a large applicant pool (N = 5,346) were randomly made to form implementation intentions. It was found that forming implementation intentions was indeed effective in reducing applicant withdrawal, albeit with a small effect size. Theoretical and practical implications of this finding are discussed.