| Abstract: | In the present study, 136 undergraduate commerce students participated in a simulation of the job application process by completing one of two application blanks (discriminatory versus non-discriminatory), that did or did not include a statement about the organization's commitment to employment equity. The results indicated that subjects who completed the application blank without the discriminatory questions had significantly more positive reactions of organization attractiveness, job application success, motivation to pursue employment with the organization, job acceptance intention, fairness of the organization's treatment of its employees, and likelihood of recommending the organization to friends in comparison to subjects who completed the application blank with discriminatory questions. In addition, subjects who believed the organization had an employment equity program were more positive about their motivation to pursue employment with the organization, job acceptance intention, the fairness of the organization's treatment of its employees, and the likelihood of recommending the organization to friends. The research and practical implications of these findings for recruitment and selection are discussed. |
