Surviving and Thriving as a Global Employee

Abstract

Research in global careers has increased substantially in the last 20 years, due to a need from organizations for global skills in critical business activities (Shaffer, Kraimer, Chen, & Bolino, 2012). Much research has been conducted on the challenges and outcome of global careers, but a gap exists in understanding how global employees survive and thrive in global assignments. We have brought together five papers that discuss different types of international assignments, and how employees not only survive, but thrive, in their global careers. Following presentations on international business travel, expatriate adjustment, relational creativity of global employees, thriving as an expatriate, and the networks and social support of global employees in high risk areas, our discussant will engage the audience in a large-group discussion on these topics, expand on areas of interest to the audience, and discuss ideas for future research.