 Authors: Schlechter, Anton , Hung, Angel , Bussin, Mark Date: 0000 Subjects: Employee retention , Incentive awards , Employee motivation , Employee competitive behaviour Language: English Type: Article Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/00000/000000 , uj:00000 , Citation: Schlechter, A., Hung, A. & Bussin, M. 0000. Understanding talent attraction : the influence of financial rewards elements on perceived job attractiveness. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 00(0):0-00. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/00.0000/sajhrm.v00i0.000. , ISSN: 0000-000X (online) , ISSN: 0000-0000 (print) Description: Abstract: In order to attract knowledge workers and maintain a competitive advantage, it is necessary for organisations to understand how knowledge workers are attracted to different types and levels of financial rewards. Research purpose: This research investigated a set of financial reward elements (remuneration, employee benefits and variable pay) to determine whether knowledge workers perceived them as attractive inducements when considering a job or position. Motivation for the study: In South Africa there is a shortage of talent, largely due to high rates of emigration of scarce skills (human capital). Financial rewards or inducements are necessary to attract talent and it is essential to assess which of these rewards are most successful in this regard. Method: A 00 full-factorial experimental design (field experiment) was used. The three financial reward elements (remuneration, employee benefits and variable pay) were manipulated in a fictitious job advertisement (each at two levels). Eight (0 × 0 × 0 = 0) different versions of a job advertisement were used as a stimulus to determine the effect of financial reward elements on perceived job attractiveness. A questionnaire was used to measure how participants perceived the attractiveness of the job. A convenience sampling approach was used. Different organisations throughout South Africa, as well as corporate members of the South African Reward Association, were asked to participate in the study. Respondents (n = 000) were randomly assigned to the various experimental conditions (i.e. one of the eight advertisements). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. A full-factorial analysis of variance was used to investigate if significant main effects could be found... Full Text: 