To stay or leave: Motives behind the decisions of graduate programs’ trainees’ in European and Russian companies

This paper investigates the problem of retaining business school graduates after they have completed a trainee program in a company. Often when a company invests in training programs for young graduates, the company’s management expects that a graduate will remain with the company for a long time. But in some cases, the trainees decide to leave. This research shows the different perceptions among the trainees and the company of motives or reasons for such a decision. The main findings also indicate a significant difference in the graduates’ preferences in the countries being compared and suggest a list of motives that drive such decision making. Furthermore, managerial applications are given and the possible approaches for future discussions are suggested.