Abstract:
Expatriation has been extensively covered from a literature perspective, both international
and locally. However, repatriation (as the final phase of expatriation) has received less
attention, especially from the perspective of South African multinational enterprises
(MNEs) that send expatriates abroad and have to manage their return to the home country
upon completion of an assignment. The purpose of this study was to determine the status
of repatriation from an enterprise perspective, with the objective of compiling and
categorising guidelines for repatriation management. When the repatriation process is
planned in advance and executed properly, the enterprise can expect the associated
return on investment and establish a competitive advantage. Knowledge transfer of
international skills and experience can take place, and the enterprise is able to build a
cadre of international managers, allowing international mobility.
A thorough literature review was carried out with the focus on international human
resource management, expatriate management and repatriation and retention. The
literature study was followed by the empirical study that employed an electronic survey
method of data collection, distributed to 101 respondents. Results of 41 SA MNEs
contributed to further data analysis. Based on the literature and the findings, the
dissertation suggests that a phased approach to repatriation provides a well-defined and
structured process to assist and guide the enterprise to manage repatriation. If executed
properly, this should result in a reduction in costly repatriation turnover. This dissertation adds to existing knowledge about the employee repatriation process by contributing new
insight and focus areas to aid SA MNEs to implement best practices for future international
assignments.
