European top management careers: a field-analytical approach. Issue 3 (27th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bühlmann, Felix; Davoine, Eric; Ravasi, Claudio
• Is Part Of: European societies. Volume 20:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 453
• Page End: 477
• Publication Date: 2018-05-27
• Subjects: Career models -- Europe -- internationalisation -- multiple correspondence -- analysis -- top management -- field analysis; Sociology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Europe -- Social conditions -- 20th century -- Periodicals; 301.094
• DOI: 10.1080/14616696.2017.1371314
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-6696

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Research on European business elites has been dominated by a 'national career model' approach, arguing that each country has a specific top management career pattern. In recent years, this line of argument has been challenged due to the increasing international circulation of top managers. To examine the impact of internationalisation on career models, we will draw on a database of 916 top managers in Germany, Switzerland, France and Britain. Our field-analytical analysis reveals that the most important career distinction – between internal and external careers – is valid beyond national models. In addition, international managers do not constitute a separate homogenous group: in some countries, they imitate national career patterns; in others, they pursue complementary strategies.