A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF PEER COMMUNICATION DURING JOB TRANSFERS - THEIMPACT OF FREQUENCY, QUALITY, AND NETWORK MULTIPLEXITY ON ADJUSTMENT

This longitudinal research examines the impact of peer communication o n transferees mooing from one location to another within organizations . Based on uncertainty reduction theory, it examines the impact of the frequency of peer communication, the quality of peer communication, a nd network multiplexity on transferees' adjustment to their new positi ons. Results suggest that the quality of peer communication is associa ted with positive adjustment after 1 month and at 3 months; frequency of peer communication is associated with positive adjust ment at 3 mon ths and at 1 year; and the network multiplexity has relatively limited impact. These results suggest the importance of examining the impact of peer communication for reducing uncertainty for employees involved in job transitions instead of focusing exclusively on superior-subordi nate communication.