Abstract
This study takes a cross-domain identity transition perspective to explore the development of work-related identities by trailing wives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Biographical-narrative interviews with 28 expatriate wives were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that these women approached their cross-domain identity transition sequentially through a process of work identity pause and reactivation. Gendered family demands and contextual constraints led them to temporarily pause their work identity while adjusting to non-work domain changes. The reactivation of the work identity domain prompted them to redevelop a work identity aligned to their new reality. Four manifestations of identity redevelopment status emerged: hobbyists, adaptors, explorers and re-inventors. For some women, their emerging work identity was just a way to escape the ‘expat wife’ stigma, for others it was an opportunity to develop a new career. This article introduces the concepts of identity pause and reactivation.
Highlights
Expatriate families tend to reinforce traditional gender roles of a male breadwinner and a female homemaker (Känsälä et al, 2015; Rusconi et al, 2013)
Trailing wives play a significant role in the success of expatriate assignments and their adjustment to the host country has been a subject of interest for International Human Resources Management (IHRM) researchers (Cooke, 2008; Harvey, 1998; McNulty, 2012)
This study focuses on the experiences of trailing wives based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Gulf region
Summary
Expatriate families tend to reinforce traditional gender roles of a male breadwinner and a female homemaker (Känsälä et al, 2015; Rusconi et al, 2013). The prioritisation of the husbands’ careers over those of trailing wives (Cole, 2011; Harvey, 1998; Känsälä et al, 2015; Rusconi et al, 2013) puts women in the disadvantaged position of economic dependence (Suutari and Brewster, 1998) This gendered phenomenon appears to still be the case when these expatriate couples come from egalitarian societies (Känsälä et al, 2015), and when the expatriate assignment is in an egalitarian country (Cooke, 2007; McNulty, 2012; Rusconi et al, 2013; Slobodin, 2019)
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