International workers' satisfaction with the repatriation process

Abstract

One of the main problems associated with the international assignments of employees is the high turnover rate of the repatriates on their return. International human resource management (IHRM) has focused its attention on identifying the factors that can lead the organization to retain these individuals when they come back. However, the satisfaction of the international workers with the repatriation process has received little attention from the academic world in spite of its importance in the reduction of high turnover rates among repatriates. This article presents the results of a study based on the answers of 124 Spanish repatriates. Our findings confirm that the satisfaction of repatriates with the repatriation process reduces their intention to seek a new employer. The research also identifies the major aspects affecting the repatriates' satisfaction with the repatriation process. Implications for practitioners and academics are discussed.

Keywords:

• international human resource management (IHRM)
• repatriates' satisfaction
• repatriation
• turnover intentions

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the funding received from Fundación Séneca (ref. PF/70/FS/0) to undertake this research and the advice of an anonymous reviewer.

Notes

1. The inverted value of item four has been considered when calculating the arithmetic mean of the variable.

2. The inverted value of some items has been considered when calculating the arithmetic mean of the variable.