The Attenuating Effects of Internal Mobility on Employee Turnover: Multiple Field Assessments

Despite the continuing lack of empirical assessment, it has been speculatedfor some 30 years that intraorganizational mobility may be a surrogate for employee turnover. This study examines the association between lateral internal mobility and employee turnover. The hypothesis that internal mobility will act as a substitute for employee turnover was tested relying on two field sample cohorts (n = 521, n = 387) of nonmanagerial personnel over a 4-year period. Results strongly support the attenuating impact of internal mobility on turnover. Implications of these results are discussed.