Internationella uppdrag är en utmanande upplevelse för de individer som åker för att arbeta för sitt företag i ett annat land. En utlandsstationering omfattar tre faser i individens karriärcykel - före resan, under vistelsen och slutligen efter hemkomsten. Uppsatsen utgår från en narrativ analys och metod, där intervjuer använts som teknik för insamlande av fyra utlandsstationerades berättelser. Studien inspireras av Kohonen (2005a, 2005b, 2007, 2008) som forskat på ledares identitetsrekonstruktion under utlandsstationering. I sin forskning finner hon stöd för att identiteten för de utlandsstationerade förändras, kulturellt eller professionellt, eller både professionellt och kulturellt men det finns individer vars identitet inte förändrats. Syftet med studien är att öka vår förståelse för utlandsstationerade individers identitetskonstruktion. Resultatet visar att identiteten, sett som en process, förändras för intervjupersonerna under utlandsstationeringens tre faser. Förändringen återfinns i en kulturell identitetstyp och i en professionell identitetstyp, förändringen återfinns även i en identitetstyp som är både professionell och kulturell på samma gång. Detta innebär att både den sociala omgivningen och professionella (personlig förändring) påverkar individen lika mycket. Intervjuperso­nernas berättelser visar att en utlandsstationering innebär både självreflektion och identitetsarbete.

The purpose of this study was to examine how Swedish-based MNCs handle their repatriation process with a focus on knowledge transfer upon return. Moreover, the study reviewed whether a global mindset is present or not in the companies and if it is associated with how repatriates’ knowledge is utilized. The study was conducted through interviews with seven repatriates and six HR managers in six different MNCs. The findings show a lack of awareness about what the repatriates have learnt during their assignments, and that there are no routines in place for capturing the knowledge upon return. Also, it identifies a gap between the companies’ and the repatriates’ views about the goals of the assignment and the value of the overall international experience. Finally, the study suggests various improvements for companies on how to better utilize their resources and enhance their global mindset in order to create a sustainable competitive advantage.

Problem: Many studies are written about employees stationed abroad by multinational corporations, but nothing about non-profit organisations. The NPOs from the Swedish idea-driven sector also have employees working abroad. This thesis looks at competence development opportunities for these expatriates and what their employability situation is like after moving back to Sweden. Method: The data in this qualitative study originate from interviews with individuals from different organisations. They worked as expatriates at least three years and returned and repatriated to Sweden at least a year ago. Findings: Different kinds of competence development are available to expatriates. Whether they take advantage of this depends largely on the individual’s motivation, but also on international partner organisations’ capacity and what resources are set aside by Swedish employers. The competence development show some, but not a definite correlation to employability once the expatriate has repatriated back to Sweden. The international assignment is usually a project employment which ends as they return, so the repatriate does not get much help from the NPO in transitioning back to their home country. The results are clear that that the individual is most vulnerable during the period when they are trying to re-establish a life at home. Swedish employers are unsure how to handle a job applicant with international experience and more often than not, regard the years abroad as empty space on their CV. It is up to the repatriate to use their social skills, social network and connections, be flexible, and motivate themselves to market themselves as employable individuals in order to find a job.

The taxation of the employees assigned from the Czech Republic abroad and from abroad to the Czech Republic The theme of this Thesis is the taxation of the employees assigned from the Czech Republic abroad and from abroad to the Czech Republic. The Thesis analyses this issue in order to allow the reader to understand the ways of employed natural persons' taxation and how this is influenced by various foreign assignments set-ups. The aim of the Thesis is to introduce the reader to this issue in its full range from the wide analysis of international migration of workers to specific tax impacts and practical examples. From time to time I also point out the insufficiencies in relevant Czech tax and other related legislation. The Thesis consists of five key chapters. The initial chapter focuses on analysis of the international migration of workers both from global as well as local perspective and also examines its widespread and its potential future development. It also focuses on definition of the term employee. Second chapter concentrates on explanation of basic terminology that is essential for understanding and dealing with the presented issues such as tax residency and its impact on tax liability of natural persons. As this issue is rather complicated one and as it suffers from heterogeneous...

In an increasingly more globalized world the international competition is fierce. Today, working across borders is a new normality. It calls for greater demand to send employees abroad on international assignments. Therefore, employers need to address implications that come along with this increasing demand. One of the main implications is the issue to retain employers after return from international assignments since many of them tend to resign. Research about this issue has been conducted. However, this research has primarily taken an employer standpoint and thereby employees have been overlooked. This thesis presents both (1) an employee point of view of the repatriation process as well as (2) a more updated and comprehensive take on the entire repatriation process as a three step process beginning already prior departure. The paper concludes that high turnover rate after return remains a major problem among expats. Lastly,a final model is suggested to facilitate the transition and decrease this high turnover rate. By applying this approach on the repatriation process, companies could hopefully benefit in terms of decreased turnover cost as well as more satisfied employees.

<p>SUMMARY</p><p>Title: Inter(man)tional Assignments?</p><p>– A Study Concerning Women’s Possibilities to Work Abroad</p><p>Problem: How do women perceive their possibilities to obtain an international assignment?</p><p>Purpose: The main purpose with this study is to create an understanding for women’s possibilities to obtain an international assignment. To be able to achieve this and to obtain a more faceted picture two types of sectors have been examined; larger Swedish corporations within the Swedish business world and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. We will further elucidate how women within the two sectors may perhaps learn from each other’s experiences, this to create new knowledge regarding women on international assignments.</p><p>Theory: In this study concepts linked to the fields of culture, management and international business are included; more pecifically the areas of international assignments, gender based differences, female characteristics, the glass ceiling and networks. A second theory part has been added after the completion of the empirical data collection to create a better and broader foundation for our study. Dual-careers, male structures, male bonding and old boys’ networks are included in this part. The supplemented theories have been placed previous to our analysis.</p><p>Method: We have performed a qualitative study from a gender based perspective with a focus upon female expatriates. The study has an abductive approach and we relate to a hermeneutical epistemology. Telephone interviews have been performed with female respondents who currently possess and international assignment or previously been an expatriate.</p><p>Result: The result of our study shows that there is no clear-cut answer to how women perceive their possibilities to obtain a foreign assignment, since their experiences are complex and individual. However, the core of our answer to the research question distinguishes a few aspects which are common among the respondents. The major cause affecting women’s possibilities is the issue of dual-career couples. The spouse’s and family’s situation is the main reason for the lack of women in these assignments. Another aspect which appears to be of great importance is the lack of women in leading positions. More women are needed on each and every managerial level to allow more women to achieve higher positions. If this is accomplished there will be a larger pool of competent and skilled females to choose from when selecting expatriates. Even though we have studied two diverse sectors, the issues and problems for the women seem to be the same. Still, both sectors have something to learn from each other. First, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs should improve their recruitment process. Second, something the Swedish business world can learn from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is to support their expatriates in a better way before and during their assignment abroad.</p>

SUMMARY Title: Inter(man)tional Assignments? – A Study Concerning Women’s Possibilities to Work Abroad Problem: How do women perceive their possibilities to obtain an international assignment? Purpose: The main purpose with this study is to create an understanding for women’s possibilities to obtain an international assignment. To be able to achieve this and to obtain a more faceted picture two types of sectors have been examined; larger Swedish corporations within the Swedish business world and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. We will further elucidate how women within the two sectors may perhaps learn from each other’s experiences, this to create new knowledge regarding women on international assignments. Theory: In this study concepts linked to the fields of culture, management and international business are included; more pecifically the areas of international assignments, gender based differences, female characteristics, the glass ceiling and networks. A second theory part has been added after the completion of the empirical data collection to create a better and broader foundation for our study. Dual-careers, male structures, male bonding and old boys’ networks are included in this part. The supplemented theories have been placed previous to our analysis. Method: We have performed a qualitative study from a gender based perspective with a focus upon female expatriates. The study has an abductive approach and we relate to a hermeneutical epistemology. Telephone interviews have been performed with female respondents who currently possess and international assignment or previously been an expatriate. Result: The result of our study shows that there is no clear-cut answer to how women perceive their possibilities to obtain a foreign assignment, since their experiences are complex and individual. However, the core of our answer to the research question distinguishes a few aspects which are common among the respondents. The major cause affecting women’s possibilities is the issue of dual-career couples. The spouse’s and family’s situation is the main reason for the lack of women in these assignments. Another aspect which appears to be of great importance is the lack of women in leading positions. More women are needed on each and every managerial level to allow more women to achieve higher positions. If this is accomplished there will be a larger pool of competent and skilled females to choose from when selecting expatriates. Even though we have studied two diverse sectors, the issues and problems for the women seem to be the same. Still, both sectors have something to learn from each other. First, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs should improve their recruitment process. Second, something the Swedish business world can learn from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is to support their expatriates in a better way before and during their assignment abroad.

Expatriation from Japanese companies has been considered mainly for men. This research focuses on gradually increasing Japanese expatriate women’s experiences in the United States. Using structuration theory (Giddens, 1984) and doing gender (West & Zimmerman, 1987), gender practices and (re)production of gendered structure at Japanese organizations in the United States are illustrated. It is exploratory research without prior research focusing on the subjects. Literature review, therefore, covers three relevant areas: women in workplace in Japan, Japanese expatriates in the United States, and women in international assignments from western countries. This research employs qualitative research method to understand the social world of Japanese expatriate women in the United States. Twenty participants are gathered through convenience and snowballing sample techniques. Findings are in two areas: private and organizational spheres. Gender plays a significant role in both areas. Organizations are officially gender free, but it is time to face that women are disadvantaged because of their gender. Particularly, most of participants reproduce gendered practice that expatriation is for men or women who can work like men. Therefore, an expatriate woman with a child and another with trailing husband in the United States face challenges. Japanese companies should acknowledge that organizational system do not reflect women’s perspectives at expatriatism. Japanese expatriate women should also take an active role in networking and mentoring for greater participation of women in international assignments in the future.

Hlavním cílem této diplomové práce je navrhnout efektivní přípravu pro expatrioty na profesionální působení v Albánské republice. Pro dosažení tohoto cíle autorka práce naplní jednotlivé cíle. Nejprve bude prozkoumána teorie dané problematiky a také související výzkumy. Hlavním cílem analytické části práce je provést dotazníkový výzkum mezi expatrioty, kteří v současnosti pracují nebo v milulých letech pracovali v Albánii a analyzovat jeho výsledky.

<p>Syftet med denna uppsats är att beskriva hur AstraZenecas expatriater stationerade i Mölndalupplevt repatriationen. För att illustrera hur repatriationen upplevts har de fem variablerna:förväntningar, karriärplanering, stöd och kontakt med hemorganisationen, tydlighet iprocessen samt omvänd kulturchock valts. Studien genomfördes genom intervjuer med sexrepatriater anställda på AstraZenecas kontor i Mölndal. Denna studie visar att repatriaternasupplevelser till stor del överensstämmer med tidigare forskning. Processen var tydlig gällandehemkomstens praktiska detaljer. Gällande planeringen kring karriären fann vi attrespondenterna själva tog ansvar för sin utveckling och kommunikation med företaget.Förväntningarna fann vi ha stor påverkan på hur repatriationen upplevts. En majoritet avrepatriaterna upplevde en kulturchock vid återkomsten till Sverige, något som är i linje medtidigare forskning.SammanfattningSyftet med denna uppsats är att beskriva hur AstraZenecas expatriater stationerade i Mölndalupplevt repatriationen. För att illustrera hur repatriationen upplevts har de fem variablerna:förväntningar, karriärplanering, stöd och kontakt med hemorganisationen, tydlighet iprocessen samt omvänd kulturchock valts. Studien genomfördes genom intervjuer med sexrepatriater anställda på AstraZenecas kontor i Mölndal. Denna studie visar att repatriaternasupplevelser till stor del överensstämmer med tidigare forskning. Processen var tydlig gällandehemkomstens praktiska detaljer. Gällande planeringen kring karriären fann vi attrespondenterna själva tog ansvar för sin utveckling och kommunikation med företaget.Förväntningarna fann vi ha stor påverkan på hur repatriationen upplevts. En majoritet avrepatriaterna upplevde en kulturchock vid återkomsten till Sverige, något som är i linje medtidigare forskning.</p> / <p>The purpose of this study is to describe how repatriates at AstraZeneca in Mölndal haveperceived the repatriation process. To illustrate how the repatriation has been perceived fivefactors have been chosen: Expectations, career planning, support and contact with theorganization, clarity in the repatriation process and reverse culture shock. The study wasconducted through interviews with six repatriates employed at AstraZeneca in Mölndal. Ourstudy shows that the repatriate’s perceptions mainly concur with previous research. The returnhome was clear regarding practical details; however regarding career planning we found thatthe repatriates themselves felt that they were responsible for their career development andcontact with the home office. Furthermore we found that expectations had great impact on theperception of the repatriation. A majority of the repatriates experienced a reverse cultureshock upon re-entry, something that is in line with previous studies.The purpose of this study is to describe how repatriates at AstraZeneca in Mölndal haveperceived the repatriation process. To illustrate how the repatriation has been perceived fivefactors have been chosen: Expectations, career planning, support and contact with theorganization, clarity in the repatriation process and reverse culture shock. The study wasconducted through interviews with six repatriates employed at AstraZeneca in Mölndal. Ourstudy shows that the repatriate’s perceptions mainly concur with previous research. The returnhome was clear regarding practical details; however regarding career planning we found thatthe repatriates themselves felt that they were responsible for their career development andcontact with the home office. Furthermore we found that expectations had great impact on theperception of the repatriation. A majority of the repatriates experienced a reverse cultureshock upon re-entry, something that is in line with previous studies.</p>