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Applicant Reactions to Selection Methods in China
Author(s) -
Liu Xuewei,
Potočnik Kristina,
Anderson Neil
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of selection and assessment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.812
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1468-2389
pISSN - 0965-075X
DOI - 10.1111/ijsa.12148
Subject(s) - guanxi , selection (genetic algorithm) , psychology , sample (material) , china , personnel selection , social psychology , work (physics) , applied psychology , management , economics , political science , law , computer science , engineering , artificial intelligence , mechanical engineering , chemistry , chromatography
This study examines applicant reactions to ten popular selection methods in China. Using a sample of 294 graduates we found that Chinese applicants’ reactions were highly favorable for work sample tests, interviews, and written ability tests, whereas Guanxi (i.e., relying on personal contacts when applying for a job) and graphology were perceived as the least favorable selection methods. Guanxi was also perceived as significantly less fair method compared with all others on all seven procedural dimensions studied. These findings suggest that Guanxi as an informal selection channel might threaten the fairness of personnel selection in China. Implications for the design of selection systems in Chinese companies are discussed, and ramifications for future research into applicant reactions are considered.