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The Value of Human Capital Specificity Versus Transferability

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mcs5{at}cornell.edu.

	Abstract

Human capital is a key resource for which firms compete intensely. Human capital theory suggests that firms value both transferable and specific human capital. Yet as transferability increases, specificity decreases. This article examines the value firms place on acquiring executives human capital as a function of its transferability versus specificity. Using longitudinal data from more than 9,000 executives, this article shows that executives moving to more similar firms receive greater increases to pay than nonmovers and those moving to less similar firms. This article suggests these increases reflect the differential value associated with various types of human capital.

First published on January 25, 2008, doi:10.1177/0149206307312509

Journal of Management 2008;34:290.

A more recent version of this article appeared on April 1, 2008


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