The International Journal of Human Resource Management · 2003 · 336 citations · 37 references
ManagementHuman Resource ManagementInternational BusinessExpatriate ManagementInternational Human Resource ManagementTalent ManagementExpatriate SelectionInternational RecruitmentInternational SelectionRepatriation ManagementCareer Development After RepatriationExpatriate CareersLongitudinal Cohort AnalysisLongitudinal Cohort Data CollectionLongitudinal Cohort StudiesRepatriation ExperienceRepatriation SatisfactionSelection For Expatriation
Repatriation of international assignees is a relatively new research area within international human resource management. This paper presents one of the first longitudinal cohort analyses of repatriates. The authors tracked a group of well‑qualified Finnish expatriates from their time abroad to after they returned home, comparing their views abroad with their post‑return experiences. The findings indicate that most repatriates change employers shortly after returning, yet they are generally satisfied with the career benefits of their overseas experience, and their expectations are more often met when the organization leverages their international experience than when it relies on their personal success.
One of the newer areas of research in the field of international human resource management concerns the repatriation of international assignees at the end of their time abroad. This paper is one of the first examples of a longitudinal cohort analysis of repatriates. Tracking the same group of well-qualified Finnish expatriates from their time abroad to after they return home, we are able to compare their views while abroad with their experience on return. We find that, as anticipated in the literature, many expatriates change employer as, or soon after, they return, but that they are in general satisfied with the effects of the foreign experience on their careers. Among this cohort at least, their expectations were met more often than not, though this was less because the organization made use of their international experience than because they were personally successful.
37