Understanding re-expatriation intentions among overseas returnees – an emerging economy perspective. Issue 17 (24th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ho, Nga Thi Thuy; Seet, Pi-Shen; Jones, Jane
• Is Part Of: International journal of human resource management. Volume 27:Issue 17(2016)
• Page Start: 1938
• Page End: 1966
• Publication Date: 2016-09-24
• Subjects: brain circulation -- emerging economies -- re-entry experiences -- re-expatriation -- returnees -- self-initiated expatriates; Personnel management -- Periodicals; Human capital -- Management -- Periodicals; 658.3
• DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2015.1088884
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-5192

Abstract

Abstract : This study investigates the reasons why returnees in an emerging economy, Vietnam, who have studied and/or worked abroad, and who have returned to their home country, intend to re-expatriate on their own initiative. We combine pull–push theory with the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to explain the re-expatriation intentions of returnees. Using path analysis on a sample of 290 Vietnamese returnees, we find three pull–push factors associated with home and host countries that have a significant impact on returnees' intention to re-expatriate: (1) dissatisfaction with career and life in their home country, (2) reverse culture shock and (3) expected career, family and quality-of-life outcomes from re-expatriation. For the TPB, we find that attitudes toward re-expatriation and subjective norms affect returnees' intention to re-expatriate. Further, these factors either fully or partially mediate the role of pull–push factors on intention to re-expatriate. The study adds to the limited number of empirical studies on self-initiated re-expatriation and brain circulation of returnees in emerging economies.