Conforming to the host country versus being distinct to our home countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 919-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamizah Abd Hamid ◽  
Conor O’Kane ◽  
André M. Everett
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Alternative Interpretation ◽  
Identity Work ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Migrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Migrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Optimal Distinctiveness ◽  
Optimal Distinctiveness Theory

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how ethnic migrant entrepreneurs (EMEs) utilise identity work to build legitimacy in a host country. According to optimal distinctiveness theory (ODT), legitimacy is achieved by balancing conformance and distinctiveness. This paper draws on ODT in the context of ethnic migrant entrepreneurship to examine how EMEs both fit in (conformance) and maintain their uniqueness (distinctiveness) in cross-cultural settings.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a qualitative approach utilising semi-structured interviews to examine the identity work of EMEs from three distinct countries (Indonesia, Pakistan and South Korea (henceforth Korea)) in one host country (Malaysia).FindingsThe results show that EMEs’ identity work incorporates both the blurring and strengthening of host-home country boundaries. Building on this study’s results, the authors develop a model of identity work and three propositions regarding legitimacy building through identity in the context of ethnic migrant entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThrough the model and propositions, this research contributes to the identity, international entrepreneurship and ethnic migrant entrepreneurship discourse by identifying the mechanisms, focus and key features of identity work for entrepreneurs operating in cross-cultural settings. In so doing, this research also offers an alternative interpretation on the apparent divergent views around identity work in the fields of organisation (advocate isomorphism) and entrepreneurship (advocate uniqueness).

The Other Entrepreneurs - Migrant Economies as Spaces for Social Innovation?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-271
Author(s):  
Claudia Lintner
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Migrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
False Dichotomy ◽  
Migrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
The One

This article analyses the relationship between migrant entrepreneurship, marginalisation and social innovation. It does so, by looking how their ‘otherness’ is used on the one hand to reproduce their marginalised situation in society and on the other to develop new living and working arrangements promoting social innovation in society. The paper is based on a qualitative study, which was carried out from March 2014- 2016. In this period, twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with migrant entrepreneurs and experts. As the results show, migrant entrepreneurs are characterised by a false dichotomy of “native weakness” in economic self-organisation against the “classical strength” of majority entrepreneurs. It is shown that new possibilities of acting in the context of migrant entrepreneurship are mostly organised in close relation to the lifeworlds and specific needs deriving from this sphere. Social innovation processes initiated by migrant entrepreneurs through their economic activities thus develop on a micro level and are hence less apparent. Supportive networks are missing on a structural level, so it becomes difficult for single innovative initiatives to be long-lasting.

scholarly journals Experiencing information use for early career academics’ learning: a knowledge ecosystem model

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1228-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faye Q. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Personal Development ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Alternative Interpretation ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the informed learning experiences of early career academics (ECAs) while building their networks for professional and personal development. The notion that information and learning are inextricably linked via the concept of “informed learning” is used as a conceptual framework to gain a clearer picture of what informs ECAs while they learn and how they experience using that which informs their learning within this complex practice: to build, maintain and utilise their developmental networks. Design/methodology/approach – This research employs a qualitative framework using a constructivist grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006). Through semi-structured interviews with a sample of 14 ECAs from across two Australian universities, data were generated to investigate the research questions. The study used the methods of constant comparison to create codes and categories towards theme development. Further examination considered the relationship between thematic categories to construct an original theoretical model. Findings – The model presented is a “knowledge ecosystem”, which represents the core informed learning experience. The model consists of informal learning interactions such as relating to information to create knowledge and engaging in mutually supportive relationships with a variety of knowledge resources found in people who assist in early career development. Originality/value – Findings from this study present an alternative interpretation of informed learning that is focused on processes manifesting as human interactions with informing entities revolving around the contexts of reciprocal human relationships.

Standing on the shoulders of giantesses: how women technology founders use single and mixed gender networks for success and change

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Woodwark ◽  
Alison Wood ◽  
Karin Schnarr
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Leadership Development ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Identity Work ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Networks ◽  
Technology Firms ◽  
Mixed Gender

PurposeBuilding on research about entrepreneurship and social capital, the purpose of this paper is to explore how women founders of technology-based ventures in Canada access and use formal external entrepreneurial networks to build their companies.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on 25 semi-structured interviews with women founders of technology firms and leaders of formal networks.FindingsThe authors demonstrate the positive impact of women only networks (WON) for founders including increasing entrepreneurial diversity, access to financing, and founder credibility and sponsorship. The authors show how women founders use mixed gender and WON to build their businesses and conclude that membership in WON can be a vital step.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size is small and most participants reside in highly urban areas, which may limit generalizability. Findings may not generalize beyond Canada due to cultural and structural differences.Practical implicationsThe research suggests that external WON should be encouraged as important resources for founder identity work which may enable positive change.Social implicationsThis research can assist in designing initiatives that support women entrepreneurs and promote gender parity.Originality/valueThe authors draw on research in women's leadership development to explain how WONs for entrepreneurs help founders create overlapping strategic networks – a unique form of social capital – and serve as identity workspaces for the identity work women founders must complete. The authors argue that the identity work in WONs can be a mechanism by which gender structures are challenged and eventually changed.

High-skilled newcomers’ identity: learners or experts?

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunn Elisabeth Søreide
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Identity Work ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learning Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learner Identity ◽  
Job Transitions ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the negotiation of learner and worker identities in a group of high-skilled newcomers who participate in an introductory and mentoring programme. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the interdependence of learning, work and identity and a constructivist approach to identity as a point of departure. The design is qualitative with semi-structured interviews as the main source of data. Findings – For the learning potential in introductory programmes to be fulfilled, all parties involved must recognise a need for learning. This is especially important in organisations that are knowledge intensive and that demand highly skilled and competent workers, as negotiations of learner identity might be more demanding for this group of employees. Research limitations/implications – The current paper is situated in a specific organisational and national context, and only pays attention to some of the negotiations between expert and learner identities that are relevant if induction programmes and initiatives should be experienced as positive. Connections between identity work, learning and job performance for this group of workers should consequently be empirically investigated by a variety of methods and within several organisational and national contexts. Practical implications – The paper shows that it is vital for organisers and leaders to be sensitive to the significance that the identity work has for learning, when they plan, execute and evaluate induction programmes and initiatives for high-skilled and competent workers. Originality/value – The facilitation of job transitions and induction for high-skilled and experienced workers is underresearched, and the paper shows how identity and learning is closely connected for this group of employees.

scholarly journals Objective institutionalized barriers and subjective performance factors of new migrant entrepreneurs

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 842-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirak Hagos ◽  
Michal Izak ◽  
Jonathan M. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Foreign Market ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Performance Factors ◽  
Entrepreneurial Attitudes ◽  
Migrant Entrepreneurs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain how the “objective” institutionalized barriers (of which social, human and financial capital are decisive factors) and the subjective performance of new migrant entrepreneurs jointly affect their business attitudes and observed behavior. Design/methodology/approach The paper’s analysis of individualized performance factors (dependent on how “objective” institutionalized barriers are subjectively construed) – in line with the theory of planned behavior – enables a response to recent calls to embrace complexity and pluralism in entrepreneurship through applying social constructivist lenses. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 Eritrean entrepreneurs, and the empirical data were subjected to grounded theory analytical procedures and interpretative phenomenological analysis theoretical coding. Findings Six core beliefs mitigated entrepreneurial attitudes independently from the objectivized institutionalized barriers: know-how needs to be acquired formally; available sources of financing are internal, and scarce; market expertise is in the books, rather than in the market; blending in the host country’s culture is uncalled for, and the resulting difficulty of operating in the “foreign” market is a price worth paying; risk is to be avoided at all cost; and strong intra-communal bonds need not entail support for their business activity, rendering external contacts hardly necessary or trustworthy. Originality/value The paper concludes with recommendations potentially informing policies and targeted interventions by highlighting that any policy intervention or an attempt at structural change of conditions in which new migrant entrepreneurship unfolds should consider entrepreneurs as “performing” individuals, as well as representatives of wider cultural, economic and social dynamics relating to these “objective” institutionalized barriers.

scholarly journals Expatriates as catalysts: what and how Vietnamese locals learn from self-initiated expatriates

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Fee ◽  
Sidney J. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Organizational Capacity ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learning Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Business Units ◽  
Host Country Nationals ◽  
Nuanced Understanding

PurposeIn an era when expatriates are increasingly used as strategic conduits for developing capabilities in local business units, we identify what and how host-country nationals in a developing economy learn from self-initiated expatriates whose assignments focus on organizational capacity development objectives.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews with 23 Vietnamese host-country nationals rendered a sample of 138 learning episodes for qualitative content analysis. Respondents were employed in Vietnamese government and non-government organizations and worked closely with multiple self-initiated expatriates in a variety of professional contexts.FindingsHost-country nationals develop a broad array of primarily “soft” capabilities. This learning is typically informal and vicarious in nature. While learning tends to arise incidentally through day-to-day activities, host-country nationals facilitate this by structuring their formal and informal interactions with expatriates to maximize their learning potential.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the study's exploratory design and specific context limit the transferability of our results, analysis of a sample of specific learning episodes allowed us to map “hotspots” of particular activities and contexts in which certain learning outcomes transpired.Practical implicationsOur results put into sharp focus the overlooked roles of expatriates as models (to be observed), mentors (to be consulted) and collaborators (to be partnered with) who can catalyse valued learning opportunities for local colleagues.Originality/valueWe provide a comprehensive account of the nature and extent of informal learning that host-country nationals accumulate during interactions with expatriates, and so contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of host-country nationals in international business.

A model of the dark side of expatriate–host country national relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasenko Ljubica ◽  
Margaret Shaffer ◽  
Sabrina Tin ◽  
Kevin McKouen
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Workplace Conflicts ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Antecedents And Consequences ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Relational Behaviors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a nomological model of the dark side of expatriate–host country national (HCN) relationships by identifying and explaining the development and the types of expatriate–HCN disruptive relationship behaviors (DRBs), their antecedents and consequences. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted semi-structured interviews (n=27) with both expatriates and HCNs, focusing on DRBs that they exhibit toward each other, the factors preceding them (antecedents) and the mechanisms through which they affect the relationship between expatriates and HCNs, as well as the outcomes of such behaviors. Findings The findings show that relational dysfunction emanates from multilevel differences between expatriates and HCNs, and these differences induce workplace conflicts. These conflicts increase relational (emotional, social, instrumental and opportunity) costs that render both dyadic members to evaluate their relationship and socially categorize each other negatively, thus, detaching from the relationship. This detachment then leads to disruptive relational behaviors that amplify the conflicts and detachment dynamics and worsen interpersonal and intergroup dynamics, ultimately resulting in relational breakdown. Research limitations/implications This study possesses methodological (e.g. relatively small number of interviewees) and conceptual (e.g. high degree of comprehensiveness) limitations. However, these offer implications for further research as they open a multitude of promising research avenues that could enhance the proposed model. Originality/value This is the first study the authors are aware of that focuses on discovering and explaining the nomological network of the dark side of expatriate–HCN relationships. The use of interdependence theory to understand cross-cultural relationships is novel. As such, it delivers theoretical and empirical contributions and fosters further research efforts.

Expatriates adjustment through transformation of social identity of Chinese expatriates working in Pakistan

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 642-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadia Nadeem ◽  
Sana Mumtaz
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Host Country Nationals ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Identity Changes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of Chinese expatriates’ adjustment in Pakistan through integrating the U-curve model and social identity theory. It has also highlighted the importance of engaging in strong social ties and their contribution in expatriates’ adjustment.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through semi-structured interviews from 30 Chinese expatriates working as directors, deputy directors, senior managers, managers and assistant managers in Chinese organizations in Pakistan. After verbatim transcription of all the interviews, data were analyzed using the NVivo software.FindingsThe findings of this paper indicate that expatriates’ identities somewhat changed in terms of their behaviors and work habits, while fewer changes were observed in their belief and value system. These changes were related to expatriates’ perceptions of host country groups, attraction to these groups and similarity in beliefs, which resulted in the development of interdependent beliefs and depersonalization. However, a few Chinese expatriates predominantly interacted among themselves at work, and their reduced socialization with Pakistanis lessened their chances of change.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the study suggest that expatriates’ adjustment is a multi-stage process and social identity change is one of the powerful mechanisms through which they adjust in the host country’s environment; hence host organizations should facilitate expatriates in strengthening their bond with local people.Originality/valueThis paper has proposed a model that explains the mechanism of Chinese expatriates’ adjustment in Pakistan through improved interactions between expatriates’ and host country nationals, resulting in minor social identity changes, leading to further positive relationship building, and then major social identity changes.

scholarly journals “He’s taken a dive”

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Webb ◽  
Richard Thelwell
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Association Football ◽  
Cultural Elite ◽  
Elite Level ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Player Behaviour

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the cultural similarities and differences between elite referees concerning their preparation and performance in dealing with reduced player behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect the data. The 37 participants from England, Spain and Italy were selected through the use of purposive sampling, and all were working in the field of refereeing as current elite-level referees, ex-elite-level referees, referee assessors, referee coaches, or managers and administrators from bodies that manage and train referees. Inductive content analysis was employed to generate themes from the raw data. Findings – Referees have identified particular issues related specifically to player behaviour and also identified specific traits pertaining to players from certain countries. Furthermore, results demonstrate that referees have begun to alter their preparation and performance due to the pressure they perceive exists within association football and, more specifically, from the players themselves. Originality/value – This study is the first to compare cross-cultural elite referee responses regarding their preparation and performance related to player behaviour.

International adjustment of female vs male business expatriates. A replication study in Switzerland

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Salamin ◽  
Eric Davoine
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
International Assignments ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expatriate Adjustment ◽  
Host Country Nationals ◽  
French Speaking

Purpose – Reasons for women’s underrepresentation in international assignments include stereotypical assumptions within organizations about their ability to adjust abroad and more broadly a lack of trust from the corporate headquarters. Female expatriates’ adjustment may strongly vary depending on the host country and on host-country nationals’ attitudes toward them. Yet up until today, very few studies have examined female expatriate adjustment in a single and non-Asian host country. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by comparing the cross-cultural adjustment of male and female expatriates in Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach – This study replicates Selmer and Leung’s (2003a) study design in order to compare adjustment of male and female expatriates working in multinational companies in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Based on 152 valid questionnaires collected, the authors performed a multivariate analysis of covariance and further analyses of covariance to compare male and female expatriate adjustment. Findings – The authors find that female expatriates have significantly higher interaction and work adjustment levels than their male counterparts, while no significant differences between men and women were observed in terms of general adjustment. These findings in a European context are consistent with those of Selmer and Leung in an Asian context. Originality/value – Very few studies to date have examined the adjustment of female expatriates in a western host-country context, despite the fact that host-country cultural norms might strongly influence women’s experiences. The research brings new empirical evidence about cross-cultural adjustment of female and male expatriates in a western location. Contrary to persistent stereotypical assumptions, results emphasize again that women are able to adjust better or at least as well as their male counterparts.

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