Modeling the Job Embeddedness of Knowledgeable Workers:: The Case Study of Knowledge-Based Firms

Attracting, motivating and retaining knowledge workers is critical in a knowledge-based economy, where knowledge management practices and global technology convergence have redefined the nature of work; While the success of today's organizations depends on the knowledge of its people, retaining knowledge employees due to their high mobility and fluidity remains a challenge. The purpose of this qualitative-exploratory research is to investigate and identify the sources and factors of job embeddedness of knowledge workers in Iranian knowledge-based firms with their work environment. For this purpose, after an in-depth study of the theoretical foundations of job embeddedness, the framework of semi-structured interview questions was designed. Then, in order to collect field data, managers and human resources experts of 17 knowledge-based companies were interviewed by purposeful sampling in the form of snowball sampling. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed and coded using MAXQDA2018 software and Clark and Brown six-step theme analysis method; As a result, knowledge workers' job embeddedness sources, consisting of 372 sub-codes in the form of 27 sub-themes and 9 main themes including individual-human resources, supportive practices, interpersonal processes, job-related and work environment sources, knowledge management, improvement and sustainability of human resources, Survey and measurement practices, organizational structure and barriers and challenges were identified, analyzed and classified.