Running head: REPATRIATION BY EXPATRIATES IN THE UAE
Explaining Repatriation by Self-Initiated Expatriates in the UAE
Strategy and Innovation – MGMT 560
RIT-Dubai
Ghada Awad & Khalid Hamad
1
REPATRIATION BY EXPATRIATES IN THE UAE
2
Abstract
Our study illustrates the topic of repatriation from the point of view of self-initiated expatriates
through an integrated framework, focusing on their intentions to repatriate and their expectations
from the process of repatriation. Repatriation research is broad and mainly analyses the impact of
repatriation on assigned expatriates rather than self-initiated expatriates. Therefore, our paper aims
to expand the scope of research and analyze repatriation through the eyes of self-initiated
expatriates based in the UAE by conducting a study the relationship between the demographics of
the individual, and the theory of home country push and pull factors thus understanding an SIE’s
intention towards repatriation and their expectations as a result. The study will consist of a sample
of 15 self-initiated expatriates from diverse cultures and home countries, both female and male
candidates between the ages of 23 and 50. Through examining all the factors, we expect to find
that although the home country pull factors are valid in many cases pulling expatriates back,
however further demographic factors have proved to challenge the preceding findings.