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Expatriate return on investment in the Asia Pacific: An empirical study of individual ROI versus corporate ROI

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  • McNulty, Yvonne
  • De Cieri, Helen
  • Hutchings, Kate

Abstract

The return on investment (ROI) from international assignments is a crucial aspect of expatriate management. The literature has taken a mostly organizational perspective of this important phenomenon, with little attention to the ‘individual ROI’ expatriates gain when undertaking an assignment. Especially lacking is research on expatriate ROI in the Asia Pacific region. Based on interviews with 31 long-term expatriates in 10 Asian countries, we use psychological contract theory to examine (1) how ‘individual ROI’ acts as a key driver of ‘corporate ROI’ and (2) the challenges and opportunities that expatriation in the Asia Pacific presents to individuals and organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • McNulty, Yvonne & De Cieri, Helen & Hutchings, Kate, 2013. "Expatriate return on investment in the Asia Pacific: An empirical study of individual ROI versus corporate ROI," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(2), pages 209-221.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:48:y:2013:i:2:p:209-221
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2012.07.005
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    Cited by:

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    3. Moreira, Márcia Zabdiele & Ogasavara, Mário Henrique, 2018. "Formal and informal institutions and the expatriation assignment: The case of Japanese subsidiaries in Latin America," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 18-26.
    4. Anika Breitenmoser & Benjamin Bader, 2016. "Repatriation outcomes affecting corporate ROI: a critical review and future agenda," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 66(3), pages 195-234, June.
    5. Christian Linder, 2016. "Embeddedness and the International Workforce: Stylized Facts and Future Research Directions," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 17(3), pages 541-565, June.
    6. Renshaw, Phil St John & Dickmann, Michael & Parry, Emma, 2022. "The value of international assignments through the lens of real-options-reasoning," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 423-434.
    7. McWha-Hermann, Ishbel & Jandric, Jakov & Cook-Lundgren, Emily & Carr, Stuart C., 2022. "Toward fairer global reward: Lessons from international non-governmental organizations," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1).

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