The Effect of Working Couple Status on the Decision to Offer Geographic Transfer

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Abstract
This study looks at the issue of geographic mobility of working couples from the employer's perspective. As part of a larger study conducted by the first author, a national sample of 425 American managers was asked to make a simulated decision of geographic transfer involving a member of a working couple. In the study, a differentiation was made among a dual-career, a dual-earner, and a single-career couple. It was found that (a) being a member of a dual-career couple had a significant negative effect on the decision, and (b) the effect was moderated by some characteristics of both the decision-maker and the organization. After having noted the limitations of the study, the authors recommend the study of other aspects of organizational life that may be influenced by working couples.