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Presentation
Narratives of Job Satisfaction Offered by the ‘100 Best Companies to Work for in America’
Western Social Science Association, Annual Meeting (2013)
  • Douglas J. Swanson, Ed.D APR
Abstract
This research analyzes narratives of employee job satisfaction offered by the 2012 CNN Money/ Fortune Magazine listing of “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.” A random sampling of 52 of the corporate websites was subject to content analysis. Among websites viewed, slightly more than half offered text- or video-based narratives of employees discussing their satisfaction with work. Most present a personal, emotional assessment of the value of work. Most rewards were identified as intrinsic (responsibility, or challenge) rather than extrinsic (salary, or benefits). College undergraduates preparing to enter the job market analyzed the narratives and offered feedback about persuasiveness and contribution to corporate image. The research structure and method parallels that of a 2003 study by the author; an assessment is offered of how web-based narratives of job satisfaction have evolved. The report ends with recommendations for successful use of web-based narratives, particularly when seeking to target prospective employees from the Millennial Generation.
Publication Date
April, 2013
Citation Information
Douglas J. Swanson. "Narratives of Job Satisfaction Offered by the ‘100 Best Companies to Work for in America’" Western Social Science Association, Annual Meeting (2013)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/dswanson/69/