Construction of Transnational Identities? : a study of how multiple international assignments influence individuals' identity processes

Abstract: This licentiate thesis examines multiple international assignments from an identity construction perspective, and identification or social identities as part thereof. A distinction is made between repeat expatriates, employed by the same company over several assignments abroad, and international itinerants, who move abroad working for several different companies. The main purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of how multiple international assignments influence individuals’ identity construction. This purpose is divided into two broad aspects where this thesis aims to contribute; the identity construction process as such, over multiple international assignments, and the more contextual aspect of social identities and what these individuals identify with. The thesis contains two essays, each with a different focus. The interviews in the first essay are with repeat expatriates and in the second essay international itinerants are in focus. As this is an exploratory study, a narrative approach is applied in order to reach in-depth understanding of a few cases. Brought together the essays contribute with new insights about the implications of multiple international work experiences from an individual’s point of view and illustrate the diversity of implications such a career can have for the individual. As these individuals go through transitions in their social context, experiencing ambiguities and paradoxes, they reflect on who they are and identity construction processes are engaged. This is contextualized in their narratives and they draw on different sources and contexts in their identity construction. Findings also indicate that there can actually be differences in repeat expatriates’ and international itinerants’ identity construction and what they identify with, which is identified as an interesting topic to research further.