INTERFUNCTIONAL TRANSFERS OF ENGINEERS IN JAPAN - EMPIRICAL-FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CROSS-FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION

This paper presents empirical findings on interfunctional transfers of engineers, using quantitative data collected from a large, R&D-orient ed, Japanese manufacturing firm. Through quantitative analyses on char acteristics of interfunctional transfers within a Japanese firm, the e mpirical part of the study reveals actual frequencies, timing, and pat terns of interfunctional transfer to examine the relevancy of the gene ral image of the ''job rotation'' practice of Japanese firms. Based on our empirical findings, we suggest that interfunctional transfers may provide Japanese companies with critical organizational capabilities for cross-functional integration, which are embedded deeply in the soc ial context of the engineering organization.