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The golden handcuffs? Choice, compliance and relocation amongst transnational professionals and executives

Devadason, Ranji

Authors



Abstract

People who routinely cross borders for their jobs are often cast as beneficiaries of globalisation. But in a world of economic downturns, un- or underemployment as well as political unrest access to an increasingly global market becomes the personal and organisational solution to a host of unwanted happenings. In these circumstances, it therefore becomes less clear whether the heightened mobility of transnational workers is a benefit or indeed a choice. This article examines the onus placed on employees to be geographically mobile for their jobs. Relocation enables organisations to operate in expanding transnational markets and fields; it is therefore a prerequisite of jobs in an increasing number of sectors. Through systematic comparison of the attitudes to mobility of highly skilled employees in a ‘market’ (corporate) and a ‘moral’ (UN) case-study organisation, this article makes a contribution to our understanding of work orientations in transnational institutions. It interrogates the myth of choice of highly skilled movers and identifies the aspirations, contradictions and dilemmas that are associated with relocating for their jobs. Analysis of biographical interviews in tandem with online survey data elucidates the complex ways that the competing repertoires of choice and compliance are woven into transnational narratives.

Citation

Devadason, R. (2017). The golden handcuffs? Choice, compliance and relocation amongst transnational professionals and executives. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 43(13), 2265-2282. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183x.2016.1260444

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 10, 2016
Online Publication Date Nov 29, 2016
Publication Date Oct 3, 2017
Deposit Date Jun 7, 2023
Journal Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Print ISSN 1369-183X
Electronic ISSN 1469-9451
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 43
Issue 13
Pages 2265-2282
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183x.2016.1260444
Keywords Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous); Demography
Additional Information Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=cjms20