Employer branding orientation: effects on recruitment performance under COVID-19

In this study we examined the impact of employer branding orientation (EBO) on recruitment performance. The study is based on a sample of 153 knowledge-intensive firms operating on the Russian labor market. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the research model. Our results revealed that EBO positively related to employer branding strategy and employer value proposition (EVP) which, in turn, impact the recruitment performance. We also identified the moderating effect of COVID-19 influence on employer branding programs. This study contributes to the debate on the role of EBO in HRM practices of companies and provides practitioners with evidence on importance of EVP formulation.

Brand orientation, employer branding and internal branding: Do they effect on recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Over the last twenty-five years, employer branding has been a subject of increasing attention among HRM scholars and practitioners. However, very limited research has explored the link between employer branding and HRM performance. To address the gap, in this study we explored how employer branding orientation impacted recruitment outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition we combined both the brand orientation and internal branding concepts to better empirically explain their impact on building employer brand orientation. Based on cross-sectional data collected from 233 companies operating on Russian labor market, we found the positive relationships between brand orientation and employer branding orientation, between employer branding orientation and the employer branding programs, which are positively related to recruitment outcomes. However, the moderating effect of internal branding was negative. We also found moderating effects of COVID-19 in the relationship between employer branding orientation, employer branding programs, and recruitment outcomes.