When does employee turnover matter? Analyzing the role of organizational memory in the federal IT workforce

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Hong, Ji Hyeun
• 署名单位: University System of Georgia; University of Georgia
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH AND THEORY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1053-1858
• DOI: 10.1093/jopart/muaf019
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 434-451
• 关键词: fractional response variables; VOLUNTARY TURNOVER; TRANSACTIVE MEMORY; intention evidence; performance; GOVERNMENT; hypothesis; management; KNOWLEDGE; remember

摘要

This paper proposes a theory of organizational memory predicting that task knowledge retained in organizational structures (i.e., agency centralization and task standardization) buffers the disruptive effects of employee turnover. Using a dataset of information technology (IT) projects implemented by 94 US federal agencies between FY2015 and FY2021, estimates from fractional panel probit models reveal that both centralized authorities under chief information officers and task standardization reduce project delays associated with IT workforce turnover; they are particularly effective in mitigating knowledge loss from voluntary and managerial position turnover. This evidence highlights the contingent nature of the turnover-performance relationship, suggesting that government agencies with high turnover may experience fewer delays when organizational structures retain task knowledge.