The study aimed to extend knowledge of women’s self-initiated expatriation. Self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) take responsibility for their own careers, and such expatriation is often advocated as an alternative, boundaryless career option for women. However, little has previously been published about the experiences of SIE women or the role of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in the cross-cultural adjustment of SIE women. The research focused on the following questions:  What linkages can be identified between the individual adjustment factors and processes perceived and experienced by SIE women?  What insights can be gained about CQ as a facilitator of the adjustment of SIE women? An Interactive Qualitative Analysis (IQA) approach was used in the research. Two IQA focus groups were hosted in the Netherlands in April and June 2010. A total of 12 SIE women participated in Focus Group 1, and nine SIE women participated in Focus Group 2. The Systems Influence Diagrams (SIDs) representing the realities of the two groups were compared and were subsequently integrated into a combined new conceptual model represented by a final combined SID. The metaphor of Alice in Wonderland’s journey of choice and chance was used to describe the final combined SID, which starts with the decision to expatriate and ends with personal/professional development. The main outcomes are the following: Contribution to knowledge – The study expands on the existing adjustment knowledge about SIE women, illustrating the facilitative role of CQ in the adjustment of SIE women. Experiential learning processes related to CQ were highlighted, and a new conceptual model for understanding the role of CQ in career development was proposed. In addition, key dilemmas faced by SIE women during the adjustment process were identified. Contribution to professional practice – The study provides new insights to international HR departments and policy-makers into the challenges SIE women face, together with possible themes for supporting them through training, coaching, mentoring and adjustments to recruitment practices. Contribution to paradigms of inquiry – No studies applying the IQA as a process to the exploration of expatriate adjustment have previously been published. This study explored the use of IQA as a methodological approach in this context. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Human Resource Management / restricted

No description available.

China is growing as an economic power leading to more and more foreign organizations taking the opportunity of its future potential and hence opening up their subsidies there. Companies nowadays, have several options when it comes to what type of workforce they should recruit. Self-Initiated Expatriates (SIEs) are a growing group in the international workforce who goes to work in another country on their own initiative as compared to the traditional expatriates that are sent by companies. Our literature research indicated that SIEs are perceived as a group of people who lack organizational commitment and tend to switch jobs often, which makes organizations reluctant to employ and invest in them.Inspired by this, we have a performed a study, which investigated SIEs’ experiences in China. The purpose of the study was to develop recommendations for organizations on how to better leverage SIEs as human resource. To fulfill the purpose of our thesis, we conducted a qualitative study, where we interviewed ten Westerners who currently had a job or previously had been employed in China. Our empirical findings revealed that SIEs perceive themselves as developing better cross-cultural skills and improving their language proficiency more than traditional expatriates as well as being much cheaper to employ. They do however need challenges, freedom and career development possibilities in order to stay satisfied. The failure to provide these from the company side results in them quitting their job or if the costs of quitting are too high, they stay on but performing only what they absolutely have to. As for the existing definitions, we found that a definition that only includes individuals with clear plans of return is not suitable since some SIEs have a “for now” mindset and only considering SIEs who intend to leave in the near future might lead to an overrepresentation of “failed” SIEs in the population. A more suitable definition should allow for less definite plans for staying in the host country.

Thesis advisor: Andy Hargreaves / After a decade of large-scale educational reform there is now a growing interest in grass-roots self-initiated change (Datnow et al., 2002; Hargreaves, 2009; Hargreaves & Shirley, 2009; Shirley, 2009). Yet, self-initiated change (SIC) remains largely undertheorized in the literature of educational change. Even the advocates of self-initiated change do not clearly specify the underlying mechanisms and the multi-dimensional processes by which SIC occurs. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach and a conceptual framework that draws from incremental institutional change theory and the literature on social movements within institutions, this study explored the following research questions: * What mechanisms do the change agents of SIC employ, How do they implement these mechanisms and why do they employ these mechanisms? * What are the characteristics of the processes of SIC? What is the pacing and sequencing of the change? * How does SIC unfold over time, and why? In answering these three initial questions a fourth research question emerged that summates the other three: *What implications does an investigation of self-initiated change in one school have for understanding existing theories of self-initiated and imposed educational change? Findings from this study revealed that self-initiated change involved a recombination that embodied the ideal of "change without pain" by balancing change and stability (Abrahamson, 2004). The process of self-initiated change turned out to be slow-moving (Pierson, 2004; Thelen & Mahoney, 2010). Mindful juxtaposition (Huy, 2001) and a dialectical perspective (Hargrave & Van de Ven, 2009) were required to address the multiple and contradictory dimensions of change. Based on these analyses, I propose ways of conceptualizing SIC as: "change without pain"; "slow-moving change"; and "dialectical/ cyclical change." / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Administration and Higher Education.

A autoexpatriação é o processo onde o indivíduo, por iniciativa própria, decide sair de seu país para trabalhar e viver em outro país por um período, a priori, previamente estabelecido (THORN, 2008; CERDIN, 2012; ALTMAN; BARUCH, 2012; ROGERS, 2013; DICKMANN, 2014). Este estudo exploratório teve por objetivo analisar como ocorre a autoexpatriação de brasileiros e como ela se relaciona com a construção de carreira destes indivíduos. No contexto desta pesquisa, compreendemos carreira em consonância com Hall (2002), que a considera um processo que envolve todas as experiências de vida, dentro e fora do trabalho. Por se tratar de uma mobilidade internacional, utilizamos, também, a teoria das carreiras globais (DICKMANN; BARUCH, 2011). A coleta de dados se deu através de entrevistas semiestruturadas, realizadas presencialmente ou a distância através do Skype e Messenger, com brasileiros que já passaram ou que estavam passando pela autoexpatriação por um período mínimo de seis meses. Foram entrevistados 5 homens e 10 mulheres, com idade entre 26 e 53 anos, variado grau de escolaridade, provenientes de diferentes regiões do Brasil e com história de autoexpatriação em países da América do Norte, Europa, Oceania e Ásia. A maior parte dos entrevistados se autoexpatriou na faixa dos 20 e 30 anos de idade, e partiu para o exterior sozinho ou acompanhado por familiares (cônjuges e/ou filhos). A apresentação e análise dos resultados foi realizada através da análise de conteúdo (BARDIN, 2004). Como resultados o estudo mostra que as principais razões para a autoexpatriação destes brasileiros referem-se à falta de perspectiva profissional e desemprego no Brasil, a busca por desenvolvimento e aprimoramento profissional, à fuga da violência urbana e ao desejo de conhecer e vivenciar novos países e culturas. A intenção de sair do país foi motivada especialmente para trabalhar no exterior e ter experiências pessoais e de vida que vão além das experiências relacionadas exclusivamente ao trabalho. A pesquisa, ainda, apresenta os diferentes caminhos que levaram estes brasileiros à autoexpatriação, elemento importante para compreender com mais profundidade este complexo processo, desde a escolha do país, o planejamento da viagem, o papel das redes de contato, a barreira do idioma e as estratégias encontradas para entrar e permanecer no país estrangeiro. Em algumas situações a autoexpatriação se converteu em um projeto permanente, na medida em que muitos destes brasileiros não têm mais a intenção de voltar a viver no Brasil. Nesse sentido, o contexto social e econômico do Brasil, marcado por desigualdades, falta de oportunidades e altos índices de violência urbana, contribuiu para a decisão de alguns autoexpatriados de permanecer por mais tempo, ou até permanentemente, no exterior, transformando o projeto inicial de autoexpatriação em imigração. Muito além de ganhos relacionados à conquista de bens materiais e de trabalhos considerados de maior status social, os entrevistados relataram que aspectos relacionados à qualidade de vida e lazer, segurança, sensação de inclusão social e de pertencimento ao país estrangeiro marcaram sua experiência de mobilidade internacional. / Self-initiated expatriation is a process where the individual, on his own initiative, decides to leave his country to work and live in another country for a period, a priori, previously established (THORN, 2008; CERDIN, 2012; ALTMAN; BARUCH, 2012; ROGERS, 2013, DICKMANN, 2014). This exploratory study aims to analyze how self-initiated expatriation of Brazilians occurs and how it relates to their careers. In the context of this research, we will understand career in line with Arthur and Rousseau (1996), who consider it as a process that involves all aspects of our life, both inside and outside of work. Because it is an international experience, we will also use the theory of global careers (DICKMANN; BARUCH, 2011) to understand this phenomenon. The data collection was done through semi-structured interviews, carried out in person or at a distance through Skype and Messenger, with Brazilians who have already passed or were undergoing self-initiated expatriation for a minimum period of six months. Five men and 10 women, ranging in age from 26 to 53 years of age, were interviewed, with varying degrees of education, from different regions of Brazil, with a history of self-initiated expatriation in North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia. Most of the interviewees went abroad in their 20s and 30s, alone or accompanied by relatives (spouses and / or children). The presentation and analysis of the results was performed through content analysis (BARDIN, 2004). As results the study shows that the main reasons for the self-initiated expatriation of these Brazilians refer to the lack of professional perspective and unemployment in Brazil, the search for professional development and improvement, the escape of urban violence and the desire to know and experience new countries and cultures. The intention to leave the country was motivated especially to work abroad and have personal and life experiences that go beyond experiences related exclusively to work. The research also presents the different paths that led these Brazilians to self-initiated expatriation, an important element to understand in more depth this complex process, from the choice of the country, the planning of the trip, the role of the networks, the language barrier and the strategies found to enter and stay in the foreign country. In some situations self-initiated expatriation has become a permanent project, since many of these Brazilians no longer intend to return to live in Brazil. In this sense, the social and economic context of Brazil, marked by inequalities, lack of opportunities and high rates of urban violence, contributed to the decision of some self-initiated expatriates to stay longer or permanently abroad, transforming the initial project of self-initiated expatriation in immigration. In addition to gains related to the acquisition of material goods and work considered to be of a higher social status, respondents reported that aspects related to quality of life and leisure, security, social inclusion and foreign ownership have marked their experience of international mobility.

A autoexpatriação é o processo onde o indivíduo, por iniciativa própria, decide sair de seu país para trabalhar e viver em outro país por um período, a priori, previamente estabelecido (THORN, 2008; CERDIN, 2012; ALTMAN; BARUCH, 2012; ROGERS, 2013; DICKMANN, 2014). Este estudo exploratório teve por objetivo analisar como ocorre a autoexpatriação de brasileiros e como ela se relaciona com a construção de carreira destes indivíduos. No contexto desta pesquisa, compreendemos carreira em consonância com Hall (2002), que a considera um processo que envolve todas as experiências de vida, dentro e fora do trabalho. Por se tratar de uma mobilidade internacional, utilizamos, também, a teoria das carreiras globais (DICKMANN; BARUCH, 2011). A coleta de dados se deu através de entrevistas semiestruturadas, realizadas presencialmente ou a distância através do Skype e Messenger, com brasileiros que já passaram ou que estavam passando pela autoexpatriação por um período mínimo de seis meses. Foram entrevistados 5 homens e 10 mulheres, com idade entre 26 e 53 anos, variado grau de escolaridade, provenientes de diferentes regiões do Brasil e com história de autoexpatriação em países da América do Norte, Europa, Oceania e Ásia. A maior parte dos entrevistados se autoexpatriou na faixa dos 20 e 30 anos de idade, e partiu para o exterior sozinho ou acompanhado por familiares (cônjuges e/ou filhos). A apresentação e análise dos resultados foi realizada através da análise de conteúdo (BARDIN, 2004). Como resultados o estudo mostra que as principais razões para a autoexpatriação destes brasileiros referem-se à falta de perspectiva profissional e desemprego no Brasil, a busca por desenvolvimento e aprimoramento profissional, à fuga da violência urbana e ao desejo de conhecer e vivenciar novos países e culturas. A intenção de sair do país foi motivada especialmente para trabalhar no exterior e ter experiências pessoais e de vida que vão além das experiências relacionadas exclusivamente ao trabalho. A pesquisa, ainda, apresenta os diferentes caminhos que levaram estes brasileiros à autoexpatriação, elemento importante para compreender com mais profundidade este complexo processo, desde a escolha do país, o planejamento da viagem, o papel das redes de contato, a barreira do idioma e as estratégias encontradas para entrar e permanecer no país estrangeiro. Em algumas situações a autoexpatriação se converteu em um projeto permanente, na medida em que muitos destes brasileiros não têm mais a intenção de voltar a viver no Brasil. Nesse sentido, o contexto social e econômico do Brasil, marcado por desigualdades, falta de oportunidades e altos índices de violência urbana, contribuiu para a decisão de alguns autoexpatriados de permanecer por mais tempo, ou até permanentemente, no exterior, transformando o projeto inicial de autoexpatriação em imigração. Muito além de ganhos relacionados à conquista de bens materiais e de trabalhos considerados de maior status social, os entrevistados relataram que aspectos relacionados à qualidade de vida e lazer, segurança, sensação de inclusão social e de pertencimento ao país estrangeiro marcaram sua experiência de mobilidade internacional. / Self-initiated expatriation is a process where the individual, on his own initiative, decides to leave his country to work and live in another country for a period, a priori, previously established (THORN, 2008; CERDIN, 2012; ALTMAN; BARUCH, 2012; ROGERS, 2013, DICKMANN, 2014). This exploratory study aims to analyze how self-initiated expatriation of Brazilians occurs and how it relates to their careers. In the context of this research, we will understand career in line with Arthur and Rousseau (1996), who consider it as a process that involves all aspects of our life, both inside and outside of work. Because it is an international experience, we will also use the theory of global careers (DICKMANN; BARUCH, 2011) to understand this phenomenon. The data collection was done through semi-structured interviews, carried out in person or at a distance through Skype and Messenger, with Brazilians who have already passed or were undergoing self-initiated expatriation for a minimum period of six months. Five men and 10 women, ranging in age from 26 to 53 years of age, were interviewed, with varying degrees of education, from different regions of Brazil, with a history of self-initiated expatriation in North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia. Most of the interviewees went abroad in their 20s and 30s, alone or accompanied by relatives (spouses and / or children). The presentation and analysis of the results was performed through content analysis (BARDIN, 2004). As results the study shows that the main reasons for the self-initiated expatriation of these Brazilians refer to the lack of professional perspective and unemployment in Brazil, the search for professional development and improvement, the escape of urban violence and the desire to know and experience new countries and cultures. The intention to leave the country was motivated especially to work abroad and have personal and life experiences that go beyond experiences related exclusively to work. The research also presents the different paths that led these Brazilians to self-initiated expatriation, an important element to understand in more depth this complex process, from the choice of the country, the planning of the trip, the role of the networks, the language barrier and the strategies found to enter and stay in the foreign country. In some situations self-initiated expatriation has become a permanent project, since many of these Brazilians no longer intend to return to live in Brazil. In this sense, the social and economic context of Brazil, marked by inequalities, lack of opportunities and high rates of urban violence, contributed to the decision of some self-initiated expatriates to stay longer or permanently abroad, transforming the initial project of self-initiated expatriation in immigration. In addition to gains related to the acquisition of material goods and work considered to be of a higher social status, respondents reported that aspects related to quality of life and leisure, security, social inclusion and foreign ownership have marked their experience of international mobility.

A autoexpatriação é o processo onde o indivíduo, por iniciativa própria, decide sair de seu país para trabalhar e viver em outro país por um período, a priori, previamente estabelecido (THORN, 2008; CERDIN, 2012; ALTMAN; BARUCH, 2012; ROGERS, 2013; DICKMANN, 2014). Este estudo exploratório teve por objetivo analisar como ocorre a autoexpatriação de brasileiros e como ela se relaciona com a construção de carreira destes indivíduos. No contexto desta pesquisa, compreendemos carreira em consonância com Hall (2002), que a considera um processo que envolve todas as experiências de vida, dentro e fora do trabalho. Por se tratar de uma mobilidade internacional, utilizamos, também, a teoria das carreiras globais (DICKMANN; BARUCH, 2011). A coleta de dados se deu através de entrevistas semiestruturadas, realizadas presencialmente ou a distância através do Skype e Messenger, com brasileiros que já passaram ou que estavam passando pela autoexpatriação por um período mínimo de seis meses. Foram entrevistados 5 homens e 10 mulheres, com idade entre 26 e 53 anos, variado grau de escolaridade, provenientes de diferentes regiões do Brasil e com história de autoexpatriação em países da América do Norte, Europa, Oceania e Ásia. A maior parte dos entrevistados se autoexpatriou na faixa dos 20 e 30 anos de idade, e partiu para o exterior sozinho ou acompanhado por familiares (cônjuges e/ou filhos). A apresentação e análise dos resultados foi realizada através da análise de conteúdo (BARDIN, 2004). Como resultados o estudo mostra que as principais razões para a autoexpatriação destes brasileiros referem-se à falta de perspectiva profissional e desemprego no Brasil, a busca por desenvolvimento e aprimoramento profissional, à fuga da violência urbana e ao desejo de conhecer e vivenciar novos países e culturas. A intenção de sair do país foi motivada especialmente para trabalhar no exterior e ter experiências pessoais e de vida que vão além das experiências relacionadas exclusivamente ao trabalho. A pesquisa, ainda, apresenta os diferentes caminhos que levaram estes brasileiros à autoexpatriação, elemento importante para compreender com mais profundidade este complexo processo, desde a escolha do país, o planejamento da viagem, o papel das redes de contato, a barreira do idioma e as estratégias encontradas para entrar e permanecer no país estrangeiro. Em algumas situações a autoexpatriação se converteu em um projeto permanente, na medida em que muitos destes brasileiros não têm mais a intenção de voltar a viver no Brasil. Nesse sentido, o contexto social e econômico do Brasil, marcado por desigualdades, falta de oportunidades e altos índices de violência urbana, contribuiu para a decisão de alguns autoexpatriados de permanecer por mais tempo, ou até permanentemente, no exterior, transformando o projeto inicial de autoexpatriação em imigração. Muito além de ganhos relacionados à conquista de bens materiais e de trabalhos considerados de maior status social, os entrevistados relataram que aspectos relacionados à qualidade de vida e lazer, segurança, sensação de inclusão social e de pertencimento ao país estrangeiro marcaram sua experiência de mobilidade internacional. / Self-initiated expatriation is a process where the individual, on his own initiative, decides to leave his country to work and live in another country for a period, a priori, previously established (THORN, 2008; CERDIN, 2012; ALTMAN; BARUCH, 2012; ROGERS, 2013, DICKMANN, 2014). This exploratory study aims to analyze how self-initiated expatriation of Brazilians occurs and how it relates to their careers. In the context of this research, we will understand career in line with Arthur and Rousseau (1996), who consider it as a process that involves all aspects of our life, both inside and outside of work. Because it is an international experience, we will also use the theory of global careers (DICKMANN; BARUCH, 2011) to understand this phenomenon. The data collection was done through semi-structured interviews, carried out in person or at a distance through Skype and Messenger, with Brazilians who have already passed or were undergoing self-initiated expatriation for a minimum period of six months. Five men and 10 women, ranging in age from 26 to 53 years of age, were interviewed, with varying degrees of education, from different regions of Brazil, with a history of self-initiated expatriation in North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia. Most of the interviewees went abroad in their 20s and 30s, alone or accompanied by relatives (spouses and / or children). The presentation and analysis of the results was performed through content analysis (BARDIN, 2004). As results the study shows that the main reasons for the self-initiated expatriation of these Brazilians refer to the lack of professional perspective and unemployment in Brazil, the search for professional development and improvement, the escape of urban violence and the desire to know and experience new countries and cultures. The intention to leave the country was motivated especially to work abroad and have personal and life experiences that go beyond experiences related exclusively to work. The research also presents the different paths that led these Brazilians to self-initiated expatriation, an important element to understand in more depth this complex process, from the choice of the country, the planning of the trip, the role of the networks, the language barrier and the strategies found to enter and stay in the foreign country. In some situations self-initiated expatriation has become a permanent project, since many of these Brazilians no longer intend to return to live in Brazil. In this sense, the social and economic context of Brazil, marked by inequalities, lack of opportunities and high rates of urban violence, contributed to the decision of some self-initiated expatriates to stay longer or permanently abroad, transforming the initial project of self-initiated expatriation in immigration. In addition to gains related to the acquisition of material goods and work considered to be of a higher social status, respondents reported that aspects related to quality of life and leisure, security, social inclusion and foreign ownership have marked their experience of international mobility.

Cosmopolitanism is widely debated in the literature of business and management and social sciences. It is often seen as a solution to the problem of international employees' maladjustment. The literature has predominantly examined the experiences of labour migrants and expatriates. In recent years, self-initiated foreign work experiences (SFE) have gained more relevance. Demographically, economically, socially and culturally, SFEs are situated in the 'middle' between labour migrants and expatriates. Yet, concomitant discussions of a 'middle' of cosmopolitanism and the exploration of everyday life of this middle cosmopolitanism have been rare. Conceptualising SFE processes is vital for a more holistic and effective understanding of international adjustment and cosmopolitanism. To this end, the study provides an ethnography of SFEs' everyday lives. In particular, it examines the backgrounds and current experiences of international employees (IEs) in India's knowledge process offshoring (KPO) industry at work, at home and outside their homes. At work, IEs displayed and created attachments to their work, India and the local through their colleagues and friends. At home, IEs in different company apartments demonstrated various processes of sharing and learning despite cultural and linguistic differences. Outside their homes, IEs engaged in numerous leisure activities revealing IEs' motivations and ways in which IEs adjusted. The study offers two findings. Throughout their activities at work, homes and in India, IEs balanced emotions and reasons, negotiated the global and local and self-flexibility and externally required flexibility. IEs also engaged in friendships to various degrees. Both findings of IEs' activities reveal complex dynamics of SFE adjustment and cosmopolitanism. The findings built the foundation for a new framework to understand SFE cosmopolitanism and international adjustment.

A preliminary literature review indicated that not much research has been done on self-initiated expatriation (SIE), particularly in a South African context. The purpose of this study is twofold: Firstly, by reviewing previous research, this study aims to make a valuable contribution to the literature on SIE, particularly regarding the motivations behind SIE. Secondly, this study aims to explore and develop a deeper understanding of the push and pull factors experienced by South African self-initiated expatriates (SASIEs). An empirical, exploratory qualitative approach, through the utilisation of qualitative field research, was employed as a means of inquiry. Furthermore, interpretivism was used as a research paradigm. Purposive sampling was applied, and the sample used consisted of nine individual South African self-initiated expatriates who had been working in their host countries for a minimum of six months. Data were obtained through in-depth semi-structured interviews. By implication only a few research questions were generated to guide the interview; however, participants were not limited to certain responses. This allowed for rich data to be obtained that were systematically analysed using grounded theory analysis to steer the process in a practical manner through the transcription of data and the rigorous extraction of codes towards the results that could best answer the original set of research questions. Criteria for rigour, authenticity, trustworthiness and credibility were applied and demonstrated throughout. The conceptual framework of the study was kept in mind during the research, the themes that emerged were explored, and the findings that were reached were substantiated through an extensive literature review. The conclusion was reached that South African self-initiated expatriates experienced certain push factors from the home country (South Africa), and that there were equally strong or stronger pull factors to the host country. All these factors contributed to the participants’ decision to expatriate. Interestingly, there seemed to be no real push factors from the host country; these were rather perceived as challenges that had to be endured. Furthermore it seemed that, as far as the sample group in this study were concerned, South Africa did not offer strong pull factors, and that, if the participants were to repatriate to South Africa, it would be for sentimental reasons. This could hold some implications for South African organisations especially in terms of retaining skilled labour or attract the skilled labour who has already expatriated. Recommendations and opportunities regarding future research were also mentioned. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Background: Europe has gained an extra amount of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) during recent years, blurring the current and future state of global mobility. The scarce literature regarding the influence of the turbulent and interconnected external environment in the field of global mobility, particularly in the Western world, highlights the importance of examining the current environment and how it influences the perceptions of global professionals carrying vital implications for organizations and their global strategies. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to contribute to the field of global mobility by creating a holistic view of the current and future state of international assignments. We aim to unveil the implications the interconnected external environment, utilizing the VUCA framework, has on global mobility through the perspective of self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). Method: We conducted an inductive qualitative multi-case study rooted in social constructionism and relativistic perspective to ensure catching the subjective experiences and viewpoints of SIEs. We conducted 17 semi-structured interviews with SIEs who were currently on an international assignment in Germany and who, through purposive sampling, fulfilled strict boundary conditions. We analyzed the data using a thematic analysis approach to derive deeper meaning and construct rich empirical findings. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the interconnectedness of SIEs’ strong intrinsic motivation together with personal factors, international assignment environment, and available support mechanisms influence their perceptions of international assignments in the surrounding VUCA environment. Perceived stress caused by the VUCA environment as well as the decision-making regarding international assignments are additionally interdependent with the above factors. Accordingly, this enabled us to derive the current and future status of international assignments in the turbulent VUCA world.