Experiencing expatriation: A study of expatriate academics

Abstract

Expatriation is at the centre of this study. Drawing on data from interviews with 30 British expatriate academics living in four countries, it explores their experiences of expatriation. The study's timeliness can be located in the predicted increase of international mobility amongst business and education professionals (e.g. Altbach, 1996; Black, 1999; Forster, 2000b). The expatriate management literature focuses on the expatriate assignment of managers and corporate executives (Inkson, Arthur, Pringle, & Barry, 1997). The higher education literature focuses on the internationalisation of education systems, notably growth in international strategic alliances between universities and international mobility amongst students (Welch, 1997a). By comparison, expatriate academics remain an under researched group. Moreover, much of the expatriate management literature adopts a positivist non-theoretical approach using quantitative methodologies and large-scale studies that leave the perspective of the individual relatively unexplored (Mendenhall, Beaty & Oddou, 1993; Osland, 1995; Peltonen, 1998). This study seeks to address that gap. It uses a qualitative research methodology based on in-depth interviews and is located within an interpretive interactionist paradigm in which individual meaning, action, social relationships and interaction are paramount. The study contributes by suggesting alternative ways of exploring expatriation with a specific focus on repositioning the individual at the centre of attention. The study begins by focusing on the decision to expatriate. The main drivers in that decision are identified. The opportunity to expatriate is also considered, pointing to the role played by serendipity in contrast to the notion of expatriation as a strategically planned move. The experience of expatriation and the way participants evaluate that experience in retrospect are explored. The study reports that adventure is a dominant theme in the drivers, experience and evaluations of expatriation. In that respect it substantiates Osland's (1990; 1995) notion of expatriation as a hero's adventure. It especially indicates the centrality of the family, both accompanying family and family left behind in Britain. That finding supports the increasing interest in expatriate families in the current literature. Other themes will also be identified and discussed. In addition, the study contributes a model of expatriates' relationships with Britain and their host country based on Black and Gregersen's (1992) model of expatriate managers allegiance to home and host organisations. This study was carried out with the support of an International Research Fellowship from the American Association of University Women, Washington D.C.