Dual-career familiesduring expatriation:Support mechanismsto handle family issues

Abstract

The number of long-term international assignments as the most widespread approach of how global staffing is organized is increasing, although it becomes more difficult to attract suitable candidates due to their growing reluctance to relocate. Women in dual-career families (DCFs) as international expatriates are under-represented in the pool of international managers. They still remain responsible for the majority of home, family, and child-rearing duties, despite the pursuit of a career. As a result, during expatriation stressors in both work and family domains increase in numbers and intensity for women. As a result, the aim of the diploma thesis is to develop an understanding of DCFs issues in the international relocation context from the female expatriates point of view and to find out how female expatriates, being a part of dual-career families, arrange and coordinate career and family life during expatriation. The empirical research based on semi-standardized guided interviews shows that women try to remain a loving wife and a reliable childcare provider and to continue a career during expatriation. To achieve this goal, they rely considerably on emotional, instrumental, and informational support. The most valuable sources of support are husbands and children, social network and government in a host country, and organizations. ; submitted by Maria Peters ; Universität Linz, Diplomarbeit, 2021 ; (VLID)6110735