Willingness to work abroad: Students at Aalto University School of Economics
No Thumbnail Available
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Economics |
Master's thesis
Unless otherwise stated, all rights belong to the author. You may download, display and print this publication for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Author
Date
2011
Major/Subject
International Business
Kansainvälinen liiketoiminta
Kansainvälinen liiketoiminta
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
138
Series
Abstract
This study examines the willingness of Aalto University School of Economics students to move abroad in the future, and factors affecting it. First, three types of international moves are presented based on previous literature: traditional expatriates, self-directed foreign experience (SFE) and trailing spouse. The factors found to affect the willingness to relocate internationally in literature are discussed and a theoretical framework constructed based on them. The second part of this thesis discusses the statistical analysis and the results of the study. Altogether 158 ASE students responded to a web-based questionnaire on background factors and their willingness to move abroad in the future. Correlation analysis and t-tests were run on the data. The results indicate a high willingness among ASE students to move abroad either as an expatriate, SFE or a working spouse. However, the willingness to move abroad as a spouse if no job is available in the target location was very low. It was also apparent that the students do not consider the different move types as similar, as indicated by their changing willingness scores and different affecting factors for each move type. Gender was not found to affect the willingness for international moves, and previous international experience only affected the willingness to move as a non-working spouse. Instead, having intrinsic motivation for international moves was correlated with all move types and international study background with all but non-working spouse move. Positivity of previous international experiences was related to willingness to accept expatriate or SFE moves. The most influential factors when considering an international move were family-related variables and variables related to the respondent?s own career. Geographical location was especially important in the cases of expatriate and SFE moves. In case the trailing spouse is not able to find a job in the host location, it is important that there are other self-development possibilities available.Description
Keywords
expatriates, ulkomailla asuvat kansalaiset, working abroad, ulkomailla työskentely, students, opiskelijat, expatriate willingness, ulkomaillemuuttohalukkuus, self-directed foreign work experience, oma-aloitteinen työskentely ulkomailla, expatriate spouses, ekspatriaattipuolisot
