A novel framework for optimizing job rotation schedules across industries

Abstract

Implementing job rotation (JR) can yield positive or negative impacts depending on the firm characteristics and industry type. As a result, a generic framework for its implementation is difficult to develop and presently does not exist in literature. Existing models/frameworks have limited application as they are either too specific or generic, but imprecise. Consequently, managers often rely on their intuition to develop JR schedules which sometimes leads to suboptimal/unwanted outcomes. In this article, we propose a generic JR framework, which can be used by managers to develop optimal JR schedules in firms across many industries, such as IT, manufacturing, banking, medical, construction, chemical, aviation, etc. The proposed framework contributes to theory by addressing important questions, such as when to implement JR, and how to quantify some of its most important impacts. We also demonstrate the utility of the proposed framework through an illustrative industrial example.