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When you hop, what do you hope? Evolution of success parameters for expatriates across assignments

Prantika Ray (Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Area, IIM Kozhikode, Kozhikode, India)
Sunil Kumar Maheshwari (Human Resources Management Area, IIM Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad, India)

Journal of Global Mobility

ISSN: 2049-8799

Article publication date: 17 September 2024

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Abstract

Purpose

International assignments are not just opportunities for career advancement but also for personal growth and exploration. This paper, by capturing the changing expectations and success parameters across the assignments, is a timely and relevant resource for individuals navigating the complexities of international careers. In addition, the paper aims to help organizations build policies for enabling successful assignments for international assignees and managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Our research took a unique two-pronged approach to understanding the success parameters of international assignments. We first interviewed 16 managers to understand the success parameters they set for expatriates. Then, we interviewed 19 international assignees to explore their choices and how they defined success in their international experiences.

Findings

Our comprehensive research, based on 35 interviews with international assignees and their supervisors, reveals that an assignment's success evolves with different stages of the assignment, over the assignments that the assignees choose, and varies according to the intent of the mobility.

Originality/value

This paper makes a significant contribution to the field of cross-cultural management and international assignments. By discussing the evolving definition of success across various international assignments, it not only provides valuable insights for expatriates in their international careers but also to managers to build aligned policies and practices.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors have received no funding support for the research, authorship or publication of this research article. The authors would like to thank the editors and the anonymous reviewers for their invaluable feedback and support.

Citation

Ray, P. and Maheshwari, S.K. (2024), "When you hop, what do you hope? Evolution of success parameters for expatriates across assignments", Journal of Global Mobility, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-02-2024-0007

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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