Becoming an International Manager

The book discusses international assignment-related decision-making by emerging market firms and their employees. It reveals that the ongoing, reciprocal interactions between the organisational and individual discourses, structures, processes, and the wider macro context spark multilevel role transitions and identity work. The book uncovers the macro-, meso-, and micro-level factors of role transitions and identity work, as well as their outcomes for international staffing. It also expands on the role (transition), social categorisation, and social identity theories by applying them to international staffing. Finally, it presents practical insights for international human resources managers by presenting several 'soft' approaches to managing international employee mobility, such as employer branding, prioritisation of favourable discourses and identities, and encouraging role hybridisation.

1. Introduction. - Part I: Emerging Market Context as Reflected in Business. - 2. Emerging Market Firms Competitive Advantages and Internationalisation Patterns. - 3. Human Resources Management in Emerging Markets and by Emerging Market Firms. - Part II: International Assignments in Emerging Market Firms. - 4. International Assignment-Related Challenges for Emerging Market Firms by Growth Stages. - 5. International Assignment-Related Challenges for Emerging Market Firms by Assignment Format. - 6. International Staffing Approaches to International Assignment Challenges by Emerging Market Multinationals. - Part III Individuals Experience of International Assignments in Emerging Market Multinationals. - 7. Short-Term International Assignment Challenges for Emerging Market Firm Employees. - 8. Long-Term Managerial Assignment Challenges as Experienced by Assignees. - Part IV: Multilevel Interactions in Role Shifts and Identity Work. - 9. Multilevel Factors of International Assignment Implementation and Management in EMNEs. - 10. Clashes of Interests Versus Clashes of Identities: Theory on Firm Employee Interactions During International Assignments. - 11. Guidelines for Practitioners: Emphasis on Narrative Work and Relationship Building. - 12. Conclusion. - 13. Tools and Surveys Used for Research.