Self-Initiated Expatriates in the Private vs. the Public Sector: Creativity and Work Outcomes

Abstract

Although research on private-sector expatriates is abundant, not much is known about their public-sector counterparts, especially self-initiated expatriates, who themselves initiate the move to live and work abroad. Comparing work outcomes and creativity of self-initiated expatriates in the private vs. the public sector, the results of a survey including 329 respondents indicated that performance and effectiveness were higher in the private sector. However, only in the public sector was there a positive association between creativity and the two work outcomes. These findings are discussed in detail.

Keywords:

• expatriates
• public sector
• creativity
• performance
• satisfaction
• effectiveness