Unveiling the Key Determinants of Self Initiated Expatriation in the United States

Abstract

Self-Initiated Expatriates (SIEs) are individuals who independently choose to move to a foreign country, such as the United States, without seeking help from external sources during the relocation process. A US Self-Initiated Expatriate is an individual who autonomously pursues employment or other opportunities in the United States with the objective of establishing permanent residency, without relying on the support of any organization or agency. The objective of this research was to identify key factors related to self-initiated expatriation in the United States. The objective was achieved by conceptualizing the following factors: "Economic Factors," "Professional Development," "Lifestyle," "Cultural Factors," and "Family Factor." The study utilized a quantitative research methodology to investigate five hypotheses with the objective of identifying the factors that contribute to self-initiated expatriation in the United States. The study encompassed data collection within the United States, followed by its application to regression analysis. A sampling frame of 400 was established to ensure a comprehensive coverage of responses. The findings of the study indicate that "Lifestyle" may serve as the primary catalyst for self-initiated expatriation in the United States. The discovery holds potential implications across multiple domains, such as economics, professional development, and family-related matters. All of the examined hypotheses are found to be supported. The significance of "lifestyle characteristics" is of utmost importance in the context of self-initiated expatriation. The evidence indicates that the lifestyle linked to self-initiated expatriation has a notable impact on an individual's decision-making process when contemplating a move to the United States for employment reasons. Individuals who choose to independently relocate to the United States are expected to encounter few difficulties in adapting to the American way of life.