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8 - Self-initiated Expatriates

from Part II - Different Types of Expatriates and Stakeholders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 November 2020

By
Sebastian Stoermer ,
Fabian Jintae Froese  and
Vesa Peltokorpi
Edited by
Jaime Bonache ,
Chris Brewster  and
Fabian Jintae Froese
Jaime Bonache
Affiliation:
Carlos III University of Madrid
Chris Brewster
Affiliation:
University of Reading
Fabian Jintae Froese
Affiliation:
University of Goettingen
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Summary

Self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) are an important group of the globally mobile workforce. In contrast to assigned expatriates (AEs), SIEs relocate on their own volition and without company support. In recent years, the literature on SIEs has started to burgeon leading to an enhanced knowledge of SIEs. The purpose of this chapter is to first review and summarize central findings in the nascent body of research concerned with SIEs. In this regard, we focus on the following key areas of inquiry: definitions of SIEs, their (demographic) profiles, main motivations to relocate, cross-cultural adjustment, as well as career experiences, and outcomes of self-initiated expatriation. In second step, based on our overview of the extant literatures, we outline directions for future research on SIEs in each key area. The suggested future research avenues will be helpful to guide the next generation of studies on SIEs and to move this stream of research ahead.

Keywords

global mobilityexpatriationself-initiated expatriatesdefinitionsprofilemotivationscross-cultural adjustmentcareersrepatriation
Type
Chapter
Information
Global Mobility and the Management of Expatriates , pp. 181 - 203
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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