CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE BEST EMPLOYERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION: THE CASE OF FORBES 2024 BEST EMPLOYER RESTAURANT BUSINESSES

Employee satisfaction plays a significant role in enhancing organizational commitment, productivity, and overall performance, as employees are considered the "internal customers" of organizations. This concept is also critical for the sustainable success and competitiveness of businesses. Literature reviews on employee satisfaction reveal that the factors influencing this concept are generally categorized into three main groups: internal factors, external factors, and individual factors. Internal factors include elements related to organizational culture, leadership style, and organizational structure, while external factors encompass aspects such as economic conditions, sectoral dynamics, and the labor market. Individual factors, on the other hand, pertain to employees' personal motivations, needs, and demographic characteristics. This study is based on data obtained from the "World's Best Employers" research conducted by Forbes in collaboration with Statista, which examined businesses with at least 1,000 employees across more than 50 countries and involved over 300,000 employees. The study analyzed five companies in the restaurant sector ranked among the top 850 companies. The key factors influencing employee satisfaction in these companies were examined through content analysis, a qualitative research method. To systematically and meaningfully evaluate the study, five distinct codes were created for the sub-dimensions used by Forbes to select the best employers: "company recommendation, salary, talent development, Company's Position in the Industry, and friends and family feedback." Detailed analyses were conducted based on these codes. The research findings indicate that restaurant businesses listed in the Forbes rankings have developed employee-centered practices that play a decisive role in enhancing employee satisfaction. These practices positively impact employee engagement, job satisfaction, and performance. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of adopting a holistic approach, offering valuable recommendations for other sectors and organizations aiming to improve employee satisfaction. Employee-centered approaches and the impact of satisfaction on performance are examined in a broader perspective, contributing significantly to the existing body of literature.

Keywords

Employee Satisfaction, Forbes Best Employers, Human Resources Management, Restaurant Sector