The JGM BitBlog: "Three years became thirty years" - Exploring transition from (assigned) expatriates to (long-term) migrants
Sungah Hong, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Christopher Richardson, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
Noor Fareen Abdul Rahim, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
In James Cameron's science fiction film, Avatar, Jake Sully was originally assigned to Pandora by Earth's Resources Development Administration to achieve the organization's goals in search of a substance called "unobtanium" and was supposed to repatriate to Earth after completing the mission. However, over time, Jake falls in love with Neytiri, a young Na'vi, and the world of Pandora. By the end of the movie, Jake permanently transfers his consciousness into his Avatar body. If we apply this story to the context of global mobility, Jake, as an assigned expatriate, might be said to have attained citizenship (having transferred permanently to an avatar body), thus transitioning from being an expatriate to a fully-fledged migrant. Our research looks at some 'Jakes' from the real world, seeking to understand why it is that various assigned expatriates (AEs) decide not to repatriate, remaining instead in their host country far longer than their initial plan – and sometimes indefinitely.
Based on the host country context of Malaysia, our findings revealed that AEs' decisions to remain abroad can be shaped by three contextual factors, which we classify as being personal, organizational, and country. A useful parallel can be drawn to the fictional character Jake, who personally formed a deep emotional connection with a local woman. On a broader level, the "country-level" environment (Pandora) was attractive and offered easier integration. Likewise, real-world expatriates may be influenced not just by one factor but by the convergence of personal desire and career opportunities based on their region-specific knowledge, abilities, and skills. Organizationally, our participants reported being pushed away from a return to their home country by what they anticipated would be poor corporate policies in terms of promotion and salary, and limited employability prospects upon repatriation. Additionally, some were pulled to stay longer in their host country by their company's request for an extension of their assignment. At the country level, individuals may be attracted to stay in their host country by a favorable living environment, including a comparatively low cost of living and high quality of life, as well as visa policies that support long-term work and residence for expatriates.
Our study population was diverse, ranging from individuals who initially arrived in Malaysia in the 1980s to those who came in the 2010s. The participants represented six nationalities: South Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Belgium, and France. Unlike the case of Jake, whose physical transformation symbolized a clear acquisition of new citizenship, such transitions are less visible in countries like Malaysia, where citizenship laws tend to be both vague and stringent. Nevertheless, we observed that many AEs who initially arrived for a pre-defined assignment later chose to stay, either by starting their own businesses or subsequently being localized regarding terms and conditions of contract. Some eventually retired in Malaysia, indicating a form of long-term settlement despite the lack of formal citizenship acquisition or change.
By exploring the phenomenon of AEs' transitions, this study deepens the understanding of the transition between AEs and other categories within global mobility studies.
To read the full article, please see the Journal of Global Mobility publication:
Hong, S., Richardson, C. and Abdul Rahim, N.F. (2025), "It was only supposed to be temporary: exploring assigned expatriates' decision to becoming long-term migrants in their host country", Journal of Global Mobility, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 240-269. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-07-2024-0072" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-07-2024-0072
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Professor Jan Selmer, Ph.D.
Founding Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Global Mobility (JGM)
Department of Management, Aarhus University
E-mail:
selmer@mgmt.au.dkTwitter: @JanSelmer_JGM
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