Wind of change brought by COVID-19: Exploring the response and the new normal from the perspectives of Indian flexpatriates |
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| Authors: | Santoshi Sengupta Parth Patel Syed Mohyuddin Verma Prikshat J. Irudhaya Rajesh Vishal Rana |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Management, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India;2. Discipline of Management & Human Resources, Australian Institute of Business, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;3. Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wales, UK;4. College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia;5. Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania, Newnham, Tasmania, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Drawing from the positive organizational change theory, this paper aims to explore how Indian flexpatriates responded to the change brought by the pandemic of COVID-19 and what is the new normal according to them. Thematic analysis of 19 in-depth interviews with flexpatriates from the IT industry revealed four explicit phases of change process – reflection, communication, collaboration, and transformation. Further, the analysis brought out four tenets of the new normal. First, it is time to blend physical and virtual work; second, the “personal” touch of Indians in international assignments is irreplaceable; third, working from home amidst the entire household being housebound is the new normal; and last, international travel will resume soon with some changed protocols. This is the first qualitative study combining the issue of global talent management with Indian flexpatriates vis-à-vis the impact of COVID-19, the findings of which expand the positive organizational change theory and have important implications. |
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| Keywords: | change process COVID-19 Indian flexpatriates IT industry new normal organizational change theory |
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