Internal Mobility and Employee Retention in Hrm: Insights from Ibm’s Skillsfirst Model

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Research in Business, Management and Economics

Year: 2026

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Internal Mobility and Employee Retention in Hrm: Insights from Ibm’s Skillsfirst Model

Prof. Dr. Ioanna Dimitrakaki

ABSTRACT:

Although research on employee retention has grown, the link between Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and retention remains underexplored (Xing et al., 2025; Al-Ayed, 2025). Retaining skilled employees is critical in knowledge-intensive sectors, where talent drives innovation, adaptability, and competitive advantage. Organizations that fail to address retention risk losing high-potential employees, undermining strategic agility and long-term performance. Internal mobility is often studied as a tool for reallocating high performers, yet from a knowledge-based perspective, it also can facilitate the circulation of tacit knowledge, the recombination of perspectives and the development of collective capabilities, enhancing organizational learning and resilience. This study examines the role of internal mobility in employee retention through a case study of IBM’s SkillsFirst HR model. By analyzing qualitative employee perspectives, the research identifies organizational conditions and mechanisms through which internal mobility supports retention, while acknowledging contextual factors and potential limitations. Findings aim to provide both theoretical insights for adaptive HRM and practical guidance for organizations seeking to strengthen employee commitment and career development pathways.

Keywords: Internal Mobility, Retention, IBM, Employee Retention, Knowledge-Intensive Organizations, Internal Labor Markets