The Dark Side of Global Mobility

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

All that glitters…

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

…is not gold

#1: The paradox of cost

#2: The paradox of experience

#3: The paradox of resilience

#4: The paradox of career progress

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

#1: The paradox of cost

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

What is on global assignees’ minds?

21%

14%

39%

36%

47%

49%

Position-related issues

Others

Location or cultural

issues

Repatriation

Compensation package

Family- or spouse-

related issues

Source: E&Y Global Mobility Effectiveness Survey

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

The return of the expat allowance

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

The hassle factor

Source: Schotter & Beamish 2013

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

A “familial” picture…

❖ Rate of expats accompanied by their children has continuously decreased since 1994

❖ Rate of married expats has decreased from 74% to 60% over past 12 years

❖ 20% split-family assignments

1. Family at home / expat in host location

2. Family in tier 1 location / expat commutes to host location

3. Family in ‘livable’ country / expat commutes to other country

Source: Brookfield Global Relocation Trends Surveys

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

#2: The paradox of experience

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

International experience overrated?

1. You confuse guanxi with wasta.

2. Your home is the expat community.

3. You are trapped in too much experience.

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

#3: The paradox of resilience

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

Travel, social isolation and physical well-being

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

Family and work performance

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

#4: The paradox of career progress

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

Repatriation challenges

Prof. Sebastian Reiche | sreiche@iese.edu, Blog: http://blog.iese.edu/expatriatus, Twitter: sebastianreiche

How to escape the dark side?

#1: The paradox of cost

#2: The paradox of experience

#3: The paradox of resilience

#4: The paradox of career progress

Better serve other motivations

Provide more holistic preparation and support

Manage talent in a more integrated and strategic manner

More systematically plan and distribute global work