Exploring the motives of company-backed and self-initiated expatriates

Few studies have investigated the range of issues considered important to the decision to move abroad for expatriates, particularly comparing the company-backed and self-initiated expatriate experiences. This study contributes to an important gap in current research about the drivers of both company-backed and self-initiated expatriation. It reveals details about the diverse motivations to undertake an expatriation and the similarities and differences between these two groups. Through a web-based study, the structure of the motivational components considered influential to the decision to move abroad was explored and quantitatively assessed. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested an eight-factor model. Scales developed from the model highlighted significant differences between the motivations of the self-initiated and company-backed across three key areas. Location and host reputation motives were significantly more important to the self-initiated suggesting that the desire to move to a particular country and characteristics of that country were primary drivers. Company-backed individuals placed significantly more emphasis on specific career motives including job, skills and career impact. Discussion focuses on the motivational gestalt of the two groups providing a better understanding of the underlying attitudes and actual vocational choices of self-initiated and company-backed individuals. The paper poses a theoretical distinction between the self-initiated and company-backed expatriate, exploring the implications for career and international management theory. Practical implications are rehearsed, exposing areas for further research.