Shortland, Susan (2015) The 'expat factor': the influence of working time on women's decisions to undertake international assignments in the oil and gas industry. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 26 (11). pp. 1452-1473. ISSN 0958-5192

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Abstract

This article examines the effect of working time on women’s willingness to go on expatriate assignments in the oil and gas exploration and production sector. The research draws upon an analysis of two case study firms’ international assignment and working time policies, semi-structured interviews with 14 Human Resource staff responsible for policy design and implementation, and a survey of the views of 71 women expatriates, supported by in-depth interviews with 26 of the survey respondents. The research identifies an ‘expat factor’: assignees state that long hours are inherent in expatriation and necessary to further their careers. However in practice, working time is not excessive and flexible working practices are utilised. Hours of work have little effect on women’s decisions to undertake long-term assignments but alternatives such as short-term and commuter assignments are unpopular as their working patterns are disruptive to family life. This article contributes to theory development by linking two discrete frameworks that explain women’s career choices when they strive to balance their career goals with their families and by identifying a career compromise threshold when expatriation is rejected in favour of family considerations. A model is proposed to link working time/patterns to women’s international assignment participation.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1080/09585192.2014.938681
Additional Information:	© 2014 Taylor & Francis. This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in The International Journal of Human Resource Management 26(11), available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.938681.
Keywords:	expatriation, gender diversity, international assignments, women expatriates, working time, work–life balance
Subjects:	Business and finance > Business and management Business and finance
Depositing User:	Susan Shortland
Date Deposited:	24 Jan 2017 14:04
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 12:15
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/3055

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