Development of an organizational coolness concept from an examination of millennial perceptions of cool and uncool employer organizations

Abstract

Purpose

Considering the growing prominence of millennials in the workforce, the current work explores the idea of cool employers as perceived, particularly by millennials.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a mixed methods approach, the authors explore the polar concepts of cool and uncool potential employing organizations through a two-phase study that examined millennial's and nonmillennials’ perceptions of the components that constitute a cool or uncool organization to work.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate a difference between millennial and nonmillennial perceptions regarding the characteristics of a cool or uncool employing organization. Additionally, the authors discuss the dimensions of the cool and uncool organization concepts as perceived by millennials in the context of pertinent organizational theory.

Originality/value

Based upon the tenets of attraction–selection–attrition (ASA) theory and social identity theories, an organizational coolness concept is developed.

Citation

Carraher Wolverton, C., Credo, K. and Matherne, C. (2021), "Development of an organizational coolness concept from an examination of millennial perceptions of cool and uncool employer organizations", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 672-687. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-05-2019-0128