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Delving into the dichotomous trajectory of Indian women flexpatriates: using the lens of JD-R theory

Santoshi Sengupta (School of Management, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, India)
Deeksha Tewari (School of Management, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, India)
Syed Mohyuddin (Discipline of Management and Human Resources, Australian Institute of Business, Adelaide, Australia)
Parth Patel (Discipline of Management and Human Resources, Australian Institute of Business, Adelaide, Australia)
Verma Prikshat (Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK)

Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance

ISSN: 2051-6614

Article publication date: 17 August 2021

Issue publication date: 26 October 2021

185

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing from the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theory, this paper aims to identify unique job demands, job resources and personal resources in the context of Indian women flexpatriates (IWFs) and understand how they manage to perform in their short-term international assignments (SIAs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes a qualitative approach by conducting in-depth interviews of 15 IWFs.

Findings

Thematic analysis reveals dual-role workload, emotional demands and diluted importance of the assignments as job demands; opportunity for professional growth, social support and combination of work and leisure as job resources, and building up of self-esteem and self-efficacy as personal resources. Also, the unique Indian family structure, Indian women's desire to have “me-time” and zeal to strengthen their identity emerge as differentiating factors for IWFs that enhance their performance.

Practical implications

IWFs are enthusiastic to take up SIAs as it gives them opportunity to enhance their career and strengthen their identity. In addition to their willingness to travel, advance planning of SIAs and profiling of women based on marital status, family type and children can be done for selection.

Social implications

Despite hailing from paternalistic and male-dominating society and facing familial challenges, IWFs find SIAs liberating, which gives them an opportunity to spend some “me-time,” strengthen their identity and enhance their professional growth.

Originality/value

This is the first qualitative study contextualizing flexpatriation with gender and region by studying Indian women professionals.

Keywords

Citation

Sengupta, S., Tewari, D., Mohyuddin, S., Patel, P. and Prikshat, V. (2021), "Delving into the dichotomous trajectory of Indian women flexpatriates: using the lens of JD-R theory", Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 387-406. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-02-2021-0024

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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