THE PURPOSE OF EXPATRIATION WHY WOMEN UNDERTAKE INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS
SUSAN SHORTLAND
Women international assignees have historically been successful, but they make up a relatively low proportion of organizationally assigned expatriates. By appreciating the factors that encourage women to undertake internationally mobile careers, organizations can widen their talent pool Using a triangulated qualitative research approach set within two case study firms in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. this article identifies contrasting views between female assignees and their organizations with respect to the purpose of expatriation and the factors women take into consideration in their decision to undertake it This research is based on analysis of organizational policy. survey of 71 women expatriates and in-depth, semistructured interviews within: 26 female assignees (selected from the survey returns using stratifien sampling). and interviews with 14 human resource professionals responsible for interna tional mobility policy design and implementation career. family and financial precondition effects are identified. From these, a model is proposed to link stated orgunitzational assignment purpose with women's participation rationales, and recommendations for practice to increase expatriate gender diversity are set out 2016 Wiley Periodicals, inc.