Dual-Career Couples and Geographic Transfer: Executives' Reactions to Commuter Marriage and Attitude Toward the Move

Abstract

This study investigated four factors predicted to influence executive decision making concerning geographic transfers when married employees are involved. One hundred and fifty-one executives completed a series of "inbasket" decision-making tasks which described geographic transfer situations. Their ratings of geographic transfers were found to be significantly affected by the couple's attitude toward the move and the presence of commuter marriage (a marital arrangement in which spouses maintain separate households to maximize career possibilities, and reunite when schedules permit). In contrast to prior research, significant differences were not obtained for sex of employee. A number of significant interactions were observed; however, both of the above main effects held up in post hoc analyses of simple main effects. The results were discussed in terms of their implications for companies and for employees considering a commuter marriage. It was recommended that companies should show a greater awareness of transferrelated problems to reduce possible bias against employees planning a commuter marriage.