Adult third culture kids’ suitability as expatriates

Abstract

Purpose Understanding expatriate performance, suitability, selection and development have long been identified as critical to international human resource management (IHRM). The authors explore how adult third culture kids (ATCKs) see themselves in regard to their future capacity to successfully engage in international assignments. This paper aims to confirm research suggesting ATCKs may indeed be invaluable to international organisations but that organisations might re-evaluate the form of IHRM support offered. Design/methodology/approach In-depth interviews with a small sample of ATCKs are used in an exploratory qualitative study. Findings The ATCKs see themselves as a genuine source of exceptionally capable, expatriate talent on the basis of their prior international experience in childhood and the capacity to socio-culturally adapt in a chameleon-like manner. This paper confirms research suggesting ATCKs may indeed be invaluable to international organisations but that organisations might re-evaluate the form of IHRM support offered. However, the flip-side of these self-perceptions is that they may appear rootless and restless, may be self-centred rather than organisationally oriented, and may voluntarily isolate themselves from more traditional expatriates instead opting to immerse themselves in the local host country scene. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on a small sample, and future research embracing a range of methodologies is envisaged. Practical implications The findings offer insights for practitioners and researchers, and ATCKs with reference to the selection of international assignment and performance management of ATCKs. Originality/value While some scholars have suggested that ATCKs may be ideal expatriate talent, the findings give focus to what might retain this talent in an organisation and suggests a future research agenda.