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Article
Publication date: 29 November 2013

Sharon L. O’Sullivan

The purpose of this conceptual paper is twofold. The first objective is to introduce a multi-stakeholder power perspective to the discourse on repatriate retention, which has, to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual paper is twofold. The first objective is to introduce a multi-stakeholder power perspective to the discourse on repatriate retention, which has, to date, treated issues of career agency without considering whether other stakeholders might be capable of responding constructively. The second objective of the paper is more prescriptive, conjecturing that social media, which has also been completely overlooked by the repatriation literature, has the potential to empower repatriation stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of the literature on repatriate turnover, this paper uses Hardy and Leiba-O’Sullivan's (1998) framework on empowerment to examine the nature and significance of powerlessness on the part of key stakeholders in the repatriation process – repatriates, HQ managers, and HQ HR professionals. It uses the same framework to investigate how social media might help to empower these stakeholders.

Findings

The analysis finds that social media has the potential to empower repatriation stakeholders in four key ways: first, by triggering expatriates’ awareness of the need to proactively manage different aspects of their own impending repatriation; second, by providing access to supportive mentoring resources; third, by strengthening access to key HR and managerial decision-making arenas; and fourth, by enabling HQ managers and HR representatives to more judiciously direct potentially scarce organizational resources (including their own time) toward key repatriation supports.

Research limitations/implications

Although this conceptual paper has no empirical data, it offers considerable value to the repatriation literature by introducing the topics of power and social media and explaining their relevance to repatriation (and indeed, to the field of international HRM).

Practical implications

Repatriate turnover is problematic, both for repatriates who would have liked to remain with the organization that sent them on assignment, and for the organizations that would like to have retained (and utilized) repatriates’ global competencies. Thus, the main practical implication of this paper is that it offers an innovative contemporary solution (e.g. the use of social media) to this problem of repatriate turnover.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that the topic of power has been completely neglected by the repatriation literature. Similarly, the topic of social media, has also been completely overlooked by the repatriation literature. This paper introduces these two topics to the repatriation literature, and, in so doing, broadens the understanding of constraints on repatriate agency as a means of repatriate retention, and offers innovative contemporary solutions (e.g. social media).

Details

Journal of Global Mobility, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-8799

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Sharon L. O’Sullivan

The purpose of this paper is to describe how religious symbols might impede employees’ motivational cultural intelligence (CQ) in some international contexts, and how…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how religious symbols might impede employees’ motivational cultural intelligence (CQ) in some international contexts, and how multinational managers might employ this knowledge to respond in a manner that mitigates risks to knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses several theories (e.g. CQ, social categorization, expectancy, and contact theories) to develop a conceptual model about the nature of the risk to employees’ motivational CQ. It then draws on models of acculturation to explore how multinational corporation managers might respond.

Findings

It is conjectured that the salience of religious-based value conflict, learned both vicariously and through direct experiences, will adversely impact motivational CQ, and that the introduction of religious symbols may exacerbate this relationship. A framework of possible interventions is offered, and each intervention approach is evaluated in terms of how it may mitigate or exacerbate the risks raised by the model.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model requires empirical validation.

Practical implications

Multinationals are advised how (and why) to treat the preservation of motivational CQ as central to any intervention in the conflict over religious symbols.

Social implications

An uninformed response to controversy over religious symbols could impede knowledge sharing and potentially exacerbate broader societal tensions (UN Global Compact, 2013). Therefore, this paper addresses a clear socio-economic need.

Originality/value

Controversy over the use of religious symbols in the workplace has generated considerable international media attention, but has been neglected by cross-cultural management research.

Details

Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5794

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 29 November 2013

Jan Selmer

164

Abstract

Details

Journal of Global Mobility, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-8799

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2018

Clare Hanlon, Tony Morris and Grant Anthony O’Sullivan

The purpose of this paper is to explore a health program comprising the individual experiences, successes and setbacks of adults in an individually tailored, community-based…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a health program comprising the individual experiences, successes and setbacks of adults in an individually tailored, community-based smoking intervention and physical activity program. The program incorporated physical activity consultation (PAC) and phone support from the well-established Quit smoking cessation program, and in partnership with Melton City Council, Victoria, Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Expert facilitators in PAC led the intervention. The program was titled “ActivePlus” and the intervention was conducted for eight weeks. Post-program facilitator guidance continued for three weeks and follow-up on participants was conducted at week 24. Five participants continued to week 24 and were interviewed. Three case descriptions were chosen as a sample to analyse using descriptive content analysis to illustrate the range of experiences, successes and setbacks reported by these individual participants.

Findings

Smoking reduction/cessation results varied among cases, but increases in PA were sustained. Participants valued the expert support of PAC facilitators, though usage and appraisal of Quit telephone smoking cessation services was mixed. The individually tailored PAC was valued by participants, who felt it also contributed to their smoking reduction/cessation goals.

Practical implications

In future, the intervention would benefit from the same ongoing support in smoking cessation as the PAC. Practitioners should consider the benefit of including PAC in smoking cessation interventions. However, such interventions should be individually tailored and include facilitation by a PAC and a smoking cessation expert.

Originality/value

Few studies have looked at completely individualised smoking cessation interventions using PAC. The current study also addresses the recommendations of previous research to investigate the use of more intense PA intervention supported by expert PAC facilitation.

Details

Health Education, vol. 118 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 13 August 2018

Robert L. Dipboye

Abstract

Details

The Emerald Review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-786-9

Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2023

Theresa (Therri) A. Papp

Indigenous students that live in poverty experience contextual socio-economic factors with residual effects of lower educational outcomes than their non-Indigenous counterparts…

Abstract

Indigenous students that live in poverty experience contextual socio-economic factors with residual effects of lower educational outcomes than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Indigenous children that live in poverty often have fewer resources, are segregated, and continue to be marginalized in the classroom. The vicious cycle of low education levels for Indigenous peoples confines them to low paying employment or unemployment that results in ongoing poverty or being a statistic categorized as the working poor. The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of the strategies that teachers have animated in their classrooms, which they perceived to be successful in encouraging Indigenous students to attend school, remain in school, complete course credits, and persevere to graduate from high school. The intent was to discover the how-to strategies and advance working knowledge of pedagogical practices leading to improved educational experiences and achievement levels for Indigenous students. This chapter will present the observations and qualitative findings of the case studies conducted in New Zealand and Canada, wherein 14 teachers described what they did and what it looked like in their classrooms. A constructivist approach was utilized to make meaning and gain the interpretations from the participants. This was achieved by first viewing the interactions in the classrooms and, through the interview process, being able to garner a better understanding of what was witnessed from the point of view of the participants.

Details

Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2022
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83797-484-9

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2002

Sharon Leiba O’Sullivan, Steven H. Appelbaum and Corinne Abikhzer

Provides an in‐depth description of the expatriate management practices of four Canadian multinationals in order to determine how closely Canadian practices correspond to the…

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Abstract

Provides an in‐depth description of the expatriate management practices of four Canadian multinationals in order to determine how closely Canadian practices correspond to the “best practices” described in the international HRM (IHRM) literature. Toward that end, reviews the IHRM literature. A qualitative study design was employed, in the form of a holistic multiple case study with four Canadian MNCs. Results indicated that, contrary to trends noted in the literature, the Canadian firms studied do not neglect expatriate management practices, although they do not fully implement such practices either – at least not to the extent advocated in the literature. The key explanation put forth is the lack of any systematic evaluation of these practices, which might have enabled shortcomings to be more readily recognized. The other key finding was that the participating firms relied extensively on expatriates to be proactive in managing various aspects of their own careers. Discusses implications.

Details

Career Development International, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1362-0436

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2002

Sharon Leiba O’Sullivan

Although top‐down interventions have the potential to reduce repatriate turnover, most organizations have not been very accommodating and repatriate turnover continues to remain…

3689

Abstract

Although top‐down interventions have the potential to reduce repatriate turnover, most organizations have not been very accommodating and repatriate turnover continues to remain high. Drawing from career transitions theory and the protean perspective of career management, this paper proposes a model of repatriate proactivity as an alternate approach. A “successful” repatriation transition outcome is defined as one in which, upon return, the repatriate: gains access to a job which recognizes any newly acquired international competencies; experiences minimal cross‐cultural re‐adjustment difficulties; and reports low turnover intentions. Individual antecedents are posited to include proactive repatriation behaviors and the personality characteristics which are suggested to drive the use of these behaviors. The strength/weakness of the repatriation situation is posited to moderate the relationship between personality and the emergence of proactive repatriation behaviors. Practical and theoretical implications for both the repatriation problem, and the career development literature in general, are discussed.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 23 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 November 2023

Lyn M. Holley and Azusa Mokuta

Current research about American Indians of all ages is in short supply, yet design and allocation of public services and resources are increasingly guided by ‘evidence’ provided…

Abstract

Current research about American Indians of all ages is in short supply, yet design and allocation of public services and resources are increasingly guided by ‘evidence’ provided by research. The health and wellness of this population is persistently poorer than that of other marginalized populations. American Indian tribes have been beset progressively since the earliest arrival of European settlers by both malevolent and well-intentioned assaults on their cultures and peoples. This long history of cultural and physical genocide continues into the present and undermines the effectiveness of Eurocentric processes for research that have been shaped by values and beliefs antithetical to those of most tribes (e.g. individualism, proprietary ownership, science as the way of knowing). Individual and collective historical trauma is present in all of the more than 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States of America, and a lack of trust further compromises the validity and positive impact of most research. This chapter describes the roots and foundations of flawed and successful research and identifies practical resources and approaches that are valid and beneficial for conducting research with indigenous people. The processes described in this chapter are grounded in the experiences of tribes in the United States of America; however, parallel experiences of indigenous populations that have a continuing legacy of trauma are found in many other countries (such as in Brazil and New Zealand) and the insights and approaches found in this chapter may be applicable to some degree.

Details

Ethics and Integrity in Research with Older People and Service Users
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-422-7

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 1 February 2021

Natalia Kucirkova

Abstract

Details

The Future of the Self: Understanding Personalization in Childhood and Beyond
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-945-0

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