The sustenance and retention of knowledge capacity within the American corporate organization

This applied research study, an in-depth analyses focusing on why experienced professionals with at least two years' experience decide to leave or exit a corporate organization, is both quantitative and qualitative. Methodological assumptions are quantitative in nature while axiological assumptions are strongly qualitative. The study is the result of a survey (sample: n = 48, representing a 32% return). The research encompasses a variety of interdisciplinary areas including: sociology, anthropology, economics, and psychology. The participants for the study were chosen from a variety of Fortune 500 and smaller companies in the United States in a variety of industries and geographic locations. Respondents include 25 individual contributors (business analysts, systems analysts, quality assurance personnel, finance personnel, corporate instructors, human resource professionals, compliance analysts, engineers, and communications personnel); 11 middle managers (9 managers in a corporate setting, and 2 in a school organization); 4 entrepreneurs (owners of their own corporate entity); and 8 executives (individuals in the corporate setting who are above sub-section and potentially receiving incentives).; Because a professional's knowledge and information have superseded physical labor as the pivotal determinant of value in the contemporary capitalist economy of the U.S. (Drucker, lecture, 1994), it is important to understand an experienced professional's decision methodology that potentially could affect a corporation's competitive advantage if mobility produced knowledge loss or a decrease in innovation.; The specific objectives of the study are to identify some of the personal decision factors, reported trigger( s), knowledge value perception, and hopefulness factor( s) contributing to the decision to exit. The literature review associated with this study is comprehensive and examines both internal and external forces (both past and present) affecting the organization and individual.; The study provides: (1) a culmination of ideas for creatively sustaining and retaining knowledge capacity; (2) insights about experienced professionals' decision methodologies; (3) strategies that can be applied immediately within American business organizations; and (4) barriers that could get in the way of successfully implementing even the most comprehensive plans.; The results from the research can be used by professionals who recognize the correlation between and importance of addressing the human knowledge capacity issues of the organization and achieving bottom-line results.; The experienced professional potentially determines whether mobility occurs, possibly affecting an organization's competitive advantage. This phenomenon will provide business leaders and researchers tremendous opportunities and challenges into the future.