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Successful female expatriates as agents: Positioning oneself through gender, hierarchy, and culture

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  • Janssens, Maddy
  • Cappellen, Tineke
  • Zanoni, Patrizia

Abstract

While most studies on female expatriates take a structural approach, this study considers female expatriates as active agents, capable of producing effective professional identities when interacting with men. We propose that female expatriates are agents who selectively interpret interactions with male actors and actively position themselves within these interactions. Within these two processes of interpreting and positioning, we examine how they draw from gender, hierarchy and culture as three power-laden identity discourses that not only constrain but also enable their actions. Through the analysis of in-depth interviews with successful female expatriates, we show how these women counter their (perceived) lower status along one identity discourse by strategically positioning themselves through a more empowering identity.

Suggested Citation

  • Janssens, Maddy & Cappellen, Tineke & Zanoni, Patrizia, 2006. "Successful female expatriates as agents: Positioning oneself through gender, hierarchy, and culture," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 133-148, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:41:y:2006:i:2:p:133-148
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ravasi, Claudio & Salamin, Xavier & Davoine, Eric, 2013. "The challenge of dual career expatriate management in a specific host national environment: An exploratory study of expatriate and spouse adjustment in Switzerland based MNCs," FSES Working Papers 447, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Freiburg/Fribourg Switzerland.
    2. Joerg Bueechl & Markus Pudelko & Nicole Gillespie, 2023. "Do Chinese subordinates trust their German supervisors? A model of inter-cultural trust development," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(5), pages 768-796, July.
    3. Maddy Janssens & Chris Steyaert, 2012. "Towards an Ethical Research Agenda for International HRM: The Possibilities of a Plural Cosmopolitan Framework," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(1), pages 61-72, November.
    4. Koveshnikov, Alexei & Tienari, Janne & Piekkari, Rebecca, 2019. "Gender in international business journals: A review and conceptualization of MNCs as gendered social spaces," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 37-53.
    5. Soltani, Ebrahim & Wilkinson, Adrian, 2011. "The Razor's edge: Managing MNC affiliates in Iran," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 462-475, October.

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