Compelled to go abroad? Motives and outcomes of international assignments

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Luisa Helena Pinto (Author) FEP; Cabral-Cardoso, C. (Author) FEP; Werther, W. (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal of Human Resource Management

Vol. 23 No. 11

Pages: 2295-2314

ISSN: 0958-5192

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 35 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 2 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences > Economics and Business

CORDIS: Social sciences > Economics > Management studies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-GJ0

DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2011.610951

Abstract (EN): This article examines the motives of expatriates and repatriates to accept international assignments and how these motives relate to individuals' perceptions of expatriation outcomes. Issues of adjustment, satisfaction, withdrawal intentions, willingness to relocate again in the future, and recommendation of an assignment to others were considered as outcomes. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews of 30 Portuguese expatriates and repatriates. The results indicate that a considerable number of participants relocated because they felt compelled to do so by their employing companies. Moreover, the extent to which organizations persuade these originally unwilling expatriates seems to have negative implications in terms of their perceptions of the adjustment process, general satisfaction with the assignment, and withdrawal intentions. Compelling behaviour also has career implications and impacts individual receptiveness to relocate in the future. Suggestions for further research and implications for organizations and prospective expatriates are also presented.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20