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Synchronized job transfer and task-specific human capital

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  • Takii, Katsuya
  • Sasaki, Masaru
  • Wan, Junmin

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that frequent and broad lateral transfers increase the possibility of promotion. A question is how firms save the costs of these frequent lateral transfers given the existence of job-specific skills. This paper proposes a new theory of the transition across jobs based on the assumption that each job consists of tasks and that each of these tasks requires specific skills. This shows that firms synchronize the promotions and lateral transfers of their employees to reduce the cost of transferring to the employee those task-specific skills required for a new position. We find that this unique prediction is broadly supported by a large personnel data set in Japan.

Suggested Citation

  • Takii, Katsuya & Sasaki, Masaru & Wan, Junmin, 2020. "Synchronized job transfer and task-specific human capital," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jjieco:v:56:y:2020:i:c:s0889158320300125
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jjie.2020.101075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kenta Kojima & Katsuya Takii, 2023. "Job Value: New Measure of Career Success Potential from a Job," OSIPP Discussion Paper 23E001, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University.
    2. Kenta Kojima & Katsuya Takii, 2019. "Successful and Dead-end Jobs in a Bureaucracy:Evidence from Japan," OSIPP Discussion Paper 19E008, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University.

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