PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Amanda D. Jacobs
Industrial/Organizational
August 1999

Reactions to Rejection Letters

    The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions and behavioral intentions of rejected candidates after receiving one of two forms of rejection letters.  Applicants rejected for employment by a major telecommunications company were randomly assigned to receive either a standard or enhanced rejection letter. After receiving the letter, applicants were contacted over the phone to complete a survey.  This survey assessed perceptions of procedural justice, interactional justice, and distributive justice, along with organizational attractiveness, intentions to recommend and purchase intentions.  It was hypothesized that participants receiving the enhanced rejection letter would have higher ratings on all of these measures than those receiving the standard rejection letter.  However, no significant differences were found between the responses of the two groups.  Implications of these results and areas for future research are also discussed.

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