Transfer from expatriate to local contracts: a multiple case study of an unexpected career transition

Tania Nery-Kjerfve, Zayed University
Jia Wang, Texas A&M University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Human Resource Development International

Publication Date

5-27-2019

Abstract

© 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. The transfer of company-assigned expatriate employees from balance sheet expatriate contracts to local contracts is an alternative international assignment compensation strategy increasingly adopted by global corporations. Despite its growing popularity, there is a significant lack of research on the impact (both professional and personal) of transferring employees from expatriate to local contracts. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate this emerging international HR trend, with specific focus on exploring the experiences of career transition of company-assigned long-term expatriates (delayed localization) to local contracts at multinational organizations located in Sweden and America. Eight individual cases were analyzed. Findings revealed that localization was an unexpected career transition, a negative type of career shock, characterized by limited support from employers, mentors, and local colleagues. The findings further indicated that localization was a type of career transition rather different from other previous career transitions experienced by participants; it represented a major career and life transition. Based on the findings, we proposed HRD interventions to assist expatriates during the transition from expatriate to local contracts. Areas for future research are also suggested.

ISSN

1367-8868

Publisher

Routledge

Volume

22

Issue

3

First Page

235

Last Page

256

Disciplines

Business

Keywords

career shock, career transition, expatriation, Localization

Scopus ID

85061437174

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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