The ties that bind: Cohort influence on newcomers staying or leaving their organization

This study examines the contagious influence of cohorts on newcomers. Addressing the problem of high newcomer turnover, this study investigates how job search behavior of the cohort impacts search and turnover decisions of newcomers. Using survey responses from 656 graduate trainees in 32 cohorts at a large global IT services organization, two key moderators are identified: closeness ties and geographic location preference. Newcomers close to their cohort are more likely influenced by them. If the cohort searches for a job, the newcomer also contagiously searches for a job and is more likely to leave. However, the effect of closeness ties between the newcomer and its cohort is mitigated if the newcomer prefers their organization’s (geographic) location. The study’s findings contribute to turnover contagion and job embeddedness theories by highlighting the dual role of cohorts in promoting stability and turnover.