Short-distance relocation management approaches: 5 Case from Finland

Corporate short-distance relocation is a significant event in the course of an organization’s lifetime. While these kinds of relocations happen frequently, they are an infrequent event from the perspective of a single organization. Therefore, few organizations have experience and knowledge on relocation management, which can result in improvised ways of managing the process. The aim of this paper is to describe different short-distance relocation management approaches applied by organizations in Finland.The paper uses a multiple-case study approach where the relocation management of five organizations are assessed post-relocation. Different aspects of the process, such as process phases and tasks, the organization involved, level of outsourcing, and employee participation, are scrutinized through 32 interviews with company representatives, and documents provided by the organizations.The paper describes the relocation management approaches applied in the five organizations, and also identifies the pros and cons of the different approaches. The study concludes that the most appropriate relocation management approach depends on the organization’s needs and situation, and that there is no one solution that fits all purposes.