Ruth Clarke

Expatriate motivation in religious and humanitarian non‐profit‐organizations

Purpose - The purpose of this exploratory, empirical study is to identify motivations for expatriation among religious and humanitarian (RH economics; international experience; escapism; altruism; outsider support; family life; and location. Workers in the not-for-profit sector are primarily motivated by altruism, and thus integrate organizational mission with personal purpose in their decision to work abroad. Using cluster analysis, four groups of humanitarian and religious workers in the Christian sub-sector were identified: Caring Missionary; Focused Worker; Self-Directed Careerist; and International Family Custodian. Workers from developed versus developing countries exhibit different motivators. Practical implications - The findings provide insight into differences between developed versus developing country workers and between R&H workers. Recognizing the differences in motivation can assist international human resource managers in the effective recruitment, selection, training and development, career management, and support and encouragement of non-profit organizations (NPO) expatriates. The authors provide propositions to be tested based on the application of self-determination theory to expatriate motivation. Originality/value - This exploratory, empirical study of Christian R&H workers extends the organizational and country context and builds on motivation for expatriation research to include this sub-sector of workers from both developed and developing countries operating in global organizations. The findings provide new insights into motivation for expatriation and lead to propositions for future research.

SMEs and social capital: exploring the Brazilian context

Purpose – This study aims to explore the extent to which social capital plays a role in firm development, internationalization and growth, in the context of an emerging market, Brazil. The study aims to provide a new context and perspective on the role social capital plays in fostering growth and internationalization among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach – This is an exploratory study. First, empirical data are drawn from a commodity industry, the Brazilian Stone industry, which is a competitive, well-established sector in the country. Using a previously validated questionnaire from the World Bank, the extent of social capital possessed and used by the firms in this industry is correlated to their growth and performance. Based on the exploratory results, a set of research propositions are developed that point the way to questions that are important and interesting to further understand the role of social capital in this context. Findings – The results...

Caribbean liming A metaphor for building social capital

This study explores the metaphorical concept of liming, its origins and role in building social relations and creating a social identity and the fabric for society in the Caribbean. We integrate Caribbean liming with the theory of social capital, and in particular with social relationships. We highlight the importance of common community norms and their influence on the potential for liming to build networks, trust, information and communication exchange, social cohesion, political empowerment and collective action to create greater social capital. In this study we emphasize that the cultural context of the Caribbean limits the opportunity for bridging gaps in relationship networks and fosters bonding in the community. This study highlights observations on liming and social capital by reporting secondary data and primary interview data analyses, and concludes with a discussion of the rebranding of regional telecommunications provider, Cable & Wireless, as LIME, building on the liming metaphor.

PR practitioners in international assignments: An assessment of success and the influence of organizational and national cultures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on the degree of success in international assignments that public relations (PR) practitioners experience and explores the influence of both organizational culture and national culture.Design/methodology/approach – PR practitioners in the USA and South Africa were surveyed.Findings – Results show that there is no difference between PR practitioners from the USA and South Africa with experience in international assignments, in terms of degree of success in international assignments and of level of preparedness for international assignments. It was also found that there is no significant correlation between national culture or organizational culture and the degree of success in international assignments for those respondents with international experience.Research limitations/implications – The response rate was limited and therefore the results cannot be generalized. Future research would be to further extend this study to include additional countries.Practic...

Bridging voids: constraints on Hispanic entrepreneurs building social capital

This study uses social capital theory and strategic entrepreneurship theory to examine the extent to which Hispanic immigrant entrepreneurs create and employ social capital in their firms. Using a modified instrument originally created by the World Bank to measure social capital, we evaluate the amount and different dimensions of social capital possessed by a sample of entrepreneurs with mid to small-sized businesses in a limited geographic area within the USA. We find low levels of social capital among our respondents. To the extent that social capital exists, the majority of it seems to be derived from Hispanic sources rather than non-Hispanic sources. Further, we find some limited evidence that non-Hispanic driven social capital positively affects growth and internationalisation. In light of these findings we discuss the issue of bridging and social capital development.

Employee Turnover in International Brand Hotels in Russia: A Comparison of Nationals and Foreign Nationals

ABSTRACT This empirical study tests the relations between employee turnover and the organizational dimensions of service climate, comparing nationals and foreign nationals in the international brand Russian hotel industry. This study extends the geographic scope of employee turnover to the undertested Russian context. Responses were analyzed using a partial least squares model. Results show that nationals’ and foreign nationals’ responses to model variables diverge. Job insecurity directly affects the turnover intentions of Russian nationals, while its effect for foreign nationals was indirect through organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Compounded indirect effects of turnover antecedents and service climate dimensions are also examined and discussed.

Emerging Interaction of Political Processes: The Effect on a Study Abroad Program in Cuba.

Abstract The emerging interaction of political processes sets the stage for the level of macro uncertainty and specific risk events that may occur in an international relationship. Strongly defined social control in Cuba, formal and informal, dominates the dynamics of the relationship, while simultaneously government, formal, action in the U.S. dominates the ability of American individuals to further the relationship. This study examines the development of a long-term relationship between two universities from the U.S. and Cuba. Over a period of eight years the relationship changes considerably as events on the macro stage play out and the environment for détente shifts. The key focus of this relationship lies with developing the study abroad program, taking students from the U.S. to Cuba.