Professionals who move abroad independently out of a sense of adventure and are willing take a career risk may gain more for their personal development in the long run than those sent on international assignments by their companies, according to a new report by Cranfield School of Management and Expatica, the internet-based portal for expatriates.
The new research into expatriate workers is published as companies are finding their employees increasingly choosy when it comes to taking up international assignments. Are you a hero or a heroine? An exploration of the expatriation journey surveyed over 500 readers of Expatica, who had expatriated. Notably nearly two thirds had initiated their foreign work experience themselves, without company backing.
For those individuals willing to take a leap of faith as ìfree agentsî, the age-old quest for adventure was a significantly influential driver and ñ combined with the more contemporary desire for work/life balance ñ formed a powerful pull. In contrast, ìclassic expatsî going on international assignments backed by their employers were more likely to be motivated by financial incentives and career advancement.
The report highlighted a significant divergence in networking behaviour, with company-backed employees having more work contacts but striving to develop personal networks before going abroad.
When it came to the benefits of working abroad, those who went on their own steam were found to have an advantage over their corporate counterparts, according to the report. Although both groups agreed working abroad was likely to enhance their future career prospects, free agents reported achieving much greater clarity of work goals ñ despite the fact they were much more likely to take a less challenging job in their new country than that back home.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Noeleen Doherty of Cranfield School of Management, says: ìThe desire for adventure and freedom from fixed purpose of those who self-initiate a foreign work experience significantly differentiates them from the corporate employee and may underpin a more holistic developmental outcome that may pay dividends for their career later on.î
She adds: ìIndividuals who embark on the heroic journey of expatriation take a risk, but the rewards are a positive life and career enhancing experience certainly in the short term, and more clarity regarding long range plans. Employers looking to stimulate interest in international working should be mindful that the willingness to expatriate is a key element in the hero or heroineís psyche that needs to be nurtured.î
The survey sample comprised 522 individuals, almost evenly split on gender lines and educated to a high level, with 48% indicating they have obtained a postgraduate or equivalent qualification.
Key Points in the Research:
Respondents had been abroad for an average of six years, but those who were self-initiated were significantly more likely to have a longer stay.
Respondents who were company backed were significantly more likely to go to a role that was more responsible and challenging, while the self-initiated were more likely to go to what they perceived to be a less challenging role.
Company-backed expatriates were motivated by career and professional factors, while the self-initiated were driven by non-work factors such as work-life balance, a sense of adventure and the opportunity to develop language skills.
The self-initiated were more likely to have an existing network of personal contacts before going abroad compared to their corporate counterparts, who were more likely to have a network of work contacts.
Both groups of expatriates anticipated a positive impact on future career opportunities, but self-initiated individuals were significantly more likely to feel their language skills would improve and that they would achieve greater clarity of work goals.
The career benefits of being an ìexpat heroî
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