Home Is Wherever I’m With You – A Review of The Repatriate’s Microsystem and Directions for Research

Abstract

In recent years, the repatriation of employees on international assignments has captured the attention of researchers and practitioners alike. Although organizations invest considerable time, money, and attention towards sending these employees on international assignments, research indicates that employees experience difficulties during the repatriation stage, often resulting in turnover. In this paper, we review existing repatriation research with a specific focus on the individual’s microsystem, or interpersonal network, in order to determine how the repatriate’s relationships in the home and host countries influence key outcomes such as readjustment, knowledge transfer, and retention. These relationships are evaluated through the lenses of two different domains: personal and professional. We identify key relationships within each domain, review prior research, and offer suggestions for future research.