On the Road Again: Predicting the Job Transfer Decision

This study used survey data collected from mobile employees (n = 66) and their spouses over a 5-year span to link attitudes, behavioral intent, and behavior in a model of the individual job transfer decision. Results showed that willingness to relocate strongly predicted the decision to accept or reject a job transfer. In turn, willingness to relocate was reliably associated with key demographic, career attribute, and attitudinal variables. Not only do these results have important implications for organizations that regularly relocate employees, but they also provide another example of a work situation in which attitudes reliably predict behavior.