Looking for global talent in all the right places: a critical literature review of non-traditional expatriates

Abstract

Our goal in this Special Issue is to explore the experiences of non-traditional expatriates and in so doing contribute to balancing the picture that existing research provides of the profile of expatriates. Specifically, we aim to: (i) define and examine types of non-traditional expatriates; (ii) address the gap in research that has not sufficiently addressed the experiences of this segment of the global talent pool; and (iii) propose a future research agenda to guide more scholarly work in this area. The Special Issue sits within the broader debate about diversity and inclusion within organizations, and specifically international diversity in expatriation – not just in terms of gender diversity, but also disability, sexual orientation and age. Papers selected for publication in the Special Issue consider each of the outlined aims and provide innovative and leading edge insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by non-traditional expatriates. We must, however, provide a note of caution: research on non-traditional expatriates is a relatively new field of enquiry and continues to evolve, thus the papers presented here, while addressing new ground, also raise more questions than they answer. The overall value of the Special Issue, then, is to stimulate a future research agenda that considers expatriates whom sit outside of the context of traditional expatriates that have been conceptualized and studied to date.