Inter(man)tional Assignments?: A Study Concerning Women’s Possibilities to Work Abroad

by Sandra Gustafsson, Sara Sundqvist

During the last decades the society has changed in a revolutionary way. Further, the globalization increases the requirements on organizations and its personnel. The key to success in the marketplace has its position within companies' human resources. Many large companies transmit professionals overseas to achieve the gathering of human resources as well as make the most of them. However, women are representing an unexploited source of human talent regarding expatriate assignments. Characteristics and competencies needed by global leaders and employees have been extensively examined. Still, it is a fact that women have often been excluded from such positions because they appear to lack critical competencies identified. This book contributes to an understanding of why female expatriates are underrepresented in comparison to men. The research should help illustrate obstacles women may encounter during the expatriation cycle and how to over come them. To elucidate these issues, females within two diverse sectors have been studied to create new knowledge. The book may be useful for professionals working within international settings; regardless gender.

108 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2008