Conversion Intentions of Fashion Marketing Interns: The Impact of Work-related Attitudes and Behaviors**

Abstract

Abstract Fashion marketing/retailing is a major employment sector and driver of economic activity on a global level. Michael Porter’s (1985) popular value chain perspective demonstrates the importance of marketing and retail sales among a set of primary value creating activities for firms of all types. The value chain perspective also illuminates the importance of human resources as a support activity necessary to create value and assure the success of the firm. This research addresses the potential value for fashion marketing/retailing firms that may be achieved through employee development practices such as offering pre-professional internships. We focus on college students’ perceptions of fashion marketing/retail-related internships d the factors that cause interns to accept a job offer upon internship completion. This study specifically examines relationships between internship experiential components of psychological contracts, supervisory support, affective organizational commitment and job satisfac...