Employer brand management, organizational prestige and employees’ word-of-mouth referrals in Taiwan Jin Feng Uen Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan David Ahlstrom Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Shuyuan Chen National United University, Taiwan Julie Liu Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan Word-of-mouth is thought to be an effective external recruitment information source that organiza- tions are not generally able to do much about. While a number of previous studies have suggested the effectiveness of word-of-mouth recruitment, few have explored the specific factors enabling organizations to manage it effectively. This study addresses the cross-level influence of employer brand management (EBM) and organizational prestige on employees’ word-of-mouth referrals. A total of 308 survey responses from senior managers and their employees were received from 33 firms in Taiwan. All hypotheses were supported, which suggests significant relationships between EBM, organizational prestige, and employees’ word-of-mouth referrals. The study results also suggest that organizations are able to manage employee word-of-mouth referrals by enhancing EBM and reinforcing employees’ perceived organizational prestige accordingly. Keywords: brands, employees’ word-of-mouth referrals, employer brand management (EBM), recruitment, reputation, Taiwan, talent Correspondence: Dr Shuyuan Chen, Department of Business Management, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan; e-mail: salvia.chen@gmail.com Accepted for publication 2 October 2013. Key points 1 This study provides insight into understanding employees’ positive word-of-mouth referrals and their effect. 2 This study suggests that organizations can effectively control employees’ word-of- mouth referrals through EBM practices. 3 It also provides additional recruitment solutions and practical insights especially under conditions of talent shortages, as found in many developing and newly devel- oped economies today. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources (2015) 53, 104–123 doi:10.1111/1744-7941.12024 © 2013 Australian Human Resources Institute