Repatriation of self-initiated expatriates: expectations vs. experiences

PurposeWhile there is a burgeoning literature on self-initiated expatriates (SIEs), the emphasis has been on expatriation not repatriation. The purpose of this paper therefore is to explore how repatriating SIEs perceive the experience of repatriation compared with their pre-repatriation expectations. Further, we examine the seminal work of Black et al. (1992) in the light of current day realities.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative research draws on interviews with SIE New Zealanders returning home. It is an exploratory longitudinal study, based on interview data collected prior to (n = 32), and after (n = 27) repatriation, comparing expectations and experiences of repatriation.FindingsFindings show that there is a strong level of congruence between the expectations of the return and their experience of repatriation. This congruence eases the transition and mitigates the impact of reverse culture shock. We revise Black et al.'s framework of repatriation adjustment to more accurately reflect the expectations and experiences of repatriating SIEs, recognising the importance of individual agency and the impact of today's technological advances on repatriation.Research limitations/implicationsThe contributions of this paper include clarification of repatriating SIEs. Further, through the revision of the framework, we identify new areas of research that would aid our understanding of repatriating SIEs and lead to the development of a more detailed model. We highlight the interplay between variables showing how these might mitigate the shock of repatriation.Originality/valueRepatriation is an under-researched phase of the SIE, and this study provides empirical data that contributes to our understanding of the construct. Black et al.'s framework of repatriation adjustment is revised in the context of contemporary SIE, highlighting the holistic nature of self-initiated expatriation and repatriation, viewing the events not as discrete, but as a continuum of time.

Repatriation of self-initiated expatriates: expectations vs. experiences

PurposeWhile there is a burgeoning literature on self-initiated expatriates (SIEs), the emphasis has been on expatriation not repatriation. The purpose of this paper therefore is to explore how repatriating SIEs perceive the experience of repatriation compared with their pre-repatriation expectations. Further, we examine the seminal work of Black et al. (1992) in the light of current day realities.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative research draws on interviews with SIE New Zealanders returning home. It is an exploratory longitudinal study, based on interview data collected prior to (n = 32), and after (n = 27) repatriation, comparing expectations and experiences of repatriation.FindingsFindings show that there is a strong level of congruence between the expectations of the return and their experience of repatriation. This congruence eases the transition and mitigates the impact of reverse culture shock. We revise Black et al.'s framework of repatriation adjustment to more accurately reflect the expectations and experiences of repatriating SIEs, recognising the importance of individual agency and the impact of today's technological advances on repatriation.Research limitations/implicationsThe contributions of this paper include clarification of repatriating SIEs. Further, through the revision of the framework, we identify new areas of research that would aid our understanding of repatriating SIEs and lead to the development of a more detailed model. We highlight the interplay between variables showing how these might mitigate the shock of repatriation.Originality/valueRepatriation is an under-researched phase of the SIE, and this study provides empirical data that contributes to our understanding of the construct. Black et al.'s framework of repatriation adjustment is revised in the context of contemporary SIE, highlighting the holistic nature of self-initiated expatriation and repatriation, viewing the events not as discrete, but as a continuum of time.

Repatriation of self-initiated expatriates: expectations vs. experiences

PurposeWhile there is a burgeoning literature on self-initiated expatriates (SIEs), the emphasis has been on expatriation not repatriation. The purpose of this paper therefore is to explore how repatriating SIEs perceive the experience of repatriation compared with their pre-repatriation expectations. Further, we examine the seminal work of Black et al. (1992) in the light of current day realities.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative research draws on interviews with SIE New Zealanders returning home. It is an exploratory longitudinal study, based on interview data collected prior to (n = 32), and after (n = 27) repatriation, comparing expectations and experiences of repatriation.FindingsFindings show that there is a strong level of congruence between the expectations of the return and their experience of repatriation. This congruence eases the transition and mitigates the impact of reverse culture shock. We revise Black et al.'s framework of repatriation adjustment to more accurately reflect the expectations and experiences of repatriating SIEs, recognising the importance of individual agency and the impact of today's technological advances on repatriation.Research limitations/implicationsThe contributions of this paper include clarification of repatriating SIEs. Further, through the revision of the framework, we identify new areas of research that would aid our understanding of repatriating SIEs and lead to the development of a more detailed model. We highlight the interplay between variables showing how these might mitigate the shock of repatriation.Originality/valueRepatriation is an under-researched phase of the SIE, and this study provides empirical data that contributes to our understanding of the construct. Black et al.'s framework of repatriation adjustment is revised in the context of contemporary SIE, highlighting the holistic nature of self-initiated expatriation and repatriation, viewing the events not as discrete, but as a continuum of time.

Repatriates’ Work Engagement: Proactive Behavior, Perceived Support, and Adjustment

This article examined the influence of academic repatriates’ proactive behavior, perceived organizational support, and coworker support on repatriation adjustment and work engagement. The study was conducted with a group of 102 (71 males, 31 females) Sri Lankan academic repatriates. Survey data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicated that repatriates’ proactive behaviors, perceived organizational, and coworker support had an important role to play in the prediction of repatriation adjustment. Further, results indicated the essential role of individuals, groups, and the organization on repatriation adjustment and work engagement of academic repatriates. By empirically investigating antecedents and consequences of repatriation adjustment of academic repatriates, this study broadens the context of repatriation research. Also, this study introduced adjustment as a predictor of work engagement and found it had more influence on engagement than the perceived support practices among academic repatriates.

Repatriation of academics: organizational support, adjustment and intention to leave

Purpose This paper aims to examine the influence of academic repatriates’ perceived organizational support, adjustment and external employment opportunity on their intention to leave. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from Sri Lankan academics who returned to their home university after completing their work (teaching/research) abroad. The repatriates who involved in teaching and research for one or more years abroad were included in this survey. Findings Results indicated that repatriates’ both the perceived organizational support had an important role to play in the prediction of repatriation adjustment and intention to leave. In turn, academics who adjusted to their repatriation better were highly likely to stay at their home university. In addition, repatriates’ perceived organizational support decreased their intention to leave through adjustment. In addition, when repatriates had trouble in adjustment and perceived high external employment opportunities, they reported higher intentions to leave the university than those who perceived fewer external employment opportunities. Research limitations/implications This study relied on cross-sectional and self-reported data and was conducted with small number of sample (112). Practical implications For the academic institutions, this study will help to clarify their role in managing repatriation adjustment and develop appropriate organizational systems that can facilitate repatriates to better adjust to their repatriation which, in turn, reduces their intention to leave. This study signifies the role of management in retaining repatriates. Originality/value This study further contributes to the current discussion on repatriation and moves this discussion to academic repatriates. This study, particularly, discusses the issues of retaining repatriates in a Sri Lankan context as a developing country where attracting and retaining academic repatriates are more challenging tasks for universities.

Repatriation of Academics: A Study on Sri Lankan University Lecturers

Although repatriation adjustment is a matter for all re-entry groups, it is not clear if it is an issue for returning academics. The article aims to investigate whether the repatriation adjustment is a matter for academic repatriates. The study was conducted with 63 Sri Lankan academic repatriates who had been attached to a foreign university or academic institution for more than 1 year, had been involved in academic activities and, at the survey date, had returned within the past 2 years. One sample t-test, independent sample t-test and regression analysis were employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The article provides empirical evidence to show that repatriation adjustment is a matter for academic repatriates too. Academics who return to their home university experience less fit to their organization compared to their fit with their home organization before they had left. The article highlights that universities need to take necessary steps to develop policies and procedures to capitalize the knowledge and international experience of returning academics. The findings extend the current scope of literature on repatriation adjustment by identifying a new group of repatriates who are experiencing repatriation adjustment issues.