Relocation with or without you: An attachment theory perspective on expatriate withdrawal

Rotumba Arachchige Ishanka Chathurani Karunarathne, Fabian Jintae Froese, Anna Katharina Bader

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Prior research established the important role of family and partner on expatriate success. Curiously, little is known about the consequences if expatriates relocate alone and leave their partners back home, although that has become reality for many expatriates. Drawing from attachment theory, this study develops and empirically tests a model how geographic separation leads to depression of both expatriates and their partners, expatriates’ withdrawal from work, as measured by repatriation intentions and absenteeism, and eventual repatriation to reunite with their partners. Moreover, we argue that relationship strength, as measured in dyadic trust, buffers the negative effects of geographic separation. Results from a dyadic multi-wave survey of 142 expatriates and their partners largely provide support for our theoretical model. We discuss our model and findings in the light of attachment theory and highlight the meaning of this novel theoretical perspective for expatriation research
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAcademy of Management Proceedings
    Place of PublicationBriarcliff Manor, NY
    PublisherAcademy of Management
    Volume2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2019
    Event79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management 2019: Understanding the Inclusive Organization, AoM 2019 - Boston, United States
    Duration: 9 Aug 201913 Aug 2019

    Publication series

    NameAcademy of Management Proceedings
    PublisherAcademy of Management
    Number1
    Volume2019
    ISSN (Print)0065-0668
    ISSN (Electronic)2151-6561

    Conference

    Conference79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management 2019: Understanding the Inclusive Organization, AoM 2019
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityBoston
    Period9/08/1913/08/19

    Keywords

    • AOM Annual Meeting Proceedings 2019
    • AOM Boston 2019
    • Best Paper

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