The driving force of self-initiated expatriation: A case of teachers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Rini Suryati Sulong and Oscar Dousin and Mike Ward (2022) The driving force of self-initiated expatriation: A case of teachers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Global Business and Management Research: An International Journal, 14 (3s). pp. 1208-1221. ISSN 1947-5667

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Abstract

In the study of expatriation, there has been less emphasis on the study of self-initiated expatriation as compared to organizational expatriation. Since people in the academia profession are amongst the most mobile and have greater opportunity to choose their employment destination, this paper explores the motivations and experiences of a group of British and American self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) that chose to work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Guided by a case study approach, purposive sampling was used to gather information from the participants through semi-structured, exploratory questions in order to understand SIEs decisions to expatriate to the Kingdom. Findings suggest that financial rewards and personal beliefs played significant roles in the participating SIEs decisions to expatriate to the Kingdom. Particularly, this location provides them with job opportunities that offer attractive monetary rewards which fulfills their financial needs, as well as avenues to enrich their personal needs. This study focused on SIEs in a specific location, prior to the outbreak of the global pandemic. The appeal of self-initiated expatriation in the postpandemic era should be explored further. Data regarding the motivations and experiences of SIEs is beneficial for organizations’ managing talent on an international scale because many organizations rely on SIEs as a source of labor. Understanding what motivates individuals to choose expatriation can assist organizations in formulating strategic human resource management decisions. This study focused on the driving factors of academic SIEs in choosing a specific location and found that their decision to expatriate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was based on the distinctive value of the location itself.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Self-initiated expatriates, Expatriation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, International human resource management
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF1-6182 Commerce > HF5001-6182 Business
Department:	FACULTY > Labuan Faculty of International Finance
Depositing User:	DG MASNIAH AHMAD -
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2023 08:43
Last Modified:	04 Dec 2023 08:43
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/37652

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