Abstract:

The article is empirical-theoretical in character. In its theoretical part on the basis of the results of a cognitive-critical analysis of world literature on the subject the significance of the associations of potential employees with the future employer is presented. Particular attention is paid to their major role with regard to the university as an employer, which should strive to shape its image among young participants of the external labour market based on building positive associations. Associations with such a characteristic employer as a university may be diversified depending on the demographic criteria. The fact that there is a shortage of research on this area is emphasized. This suggests there is a cognitive and research gap in this area. Thus, the article strives to, among others, identify associations with the university as a future workplace among women and among men and to compare their associations. 2 research hypotheses were formulated. In the process of carrying out research goals and testing both hypotheses empirical research was conducted. It covered the representatives of the group of young potential employees. The method of questionnaire survey was used to collect primary data. The collected data were subject to quantitative analysis. Among the methods used for the quantitative analysis were the methods of statistical analysis, including factor analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test. The results of conducted analysis suggest that the associations of the surveyed women and men differed. Statistically significant differences were observed above all in case of associations with positive undertones.