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Global mobility and the career of the stay-at-home partner

Global mobility and the career of the stay-at-home partner Contemporary global mobility and dual careers are two key features of working life today. Little is known, however, about where they intersect, where one partner travels for their career, while the other partner is left behind, caring for the family and attempting to manage their own career. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the partner’s career is impacted by the traveller’s absence, and the strategies employed to enable their continued career development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on semi-structured interviews with the partners of international yachtsmen.FindingsThe findings highlight the prioritisation of the traveller’s career, for reasons of finance and their passion for their career. The implications of this could be detrimental to the partner’s career. Personalised, flexible working arrangements are essential in order for the partner to achieve a sustainable career of their own.Research limitations/implicationsThe gendered nature of the sample provides an opportunity for further research examining the implications of the female being the traveller and the male the stay at home partner.Practical implicationsThe paper examines a range of alternative strategies for maintaining or developing the career when also faced with additional family responsibilities.Originality/valueThis paper gives consideration to the career of the stay at home partner. A new dual-career strategy is identified – the entrepreneurial secondary career strategy, which has the potential to deliver the flexibility required to manage both work and family demands, and allow partners to enact their authentic career. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Global Mobility The Home of Expatriate Management Research Emerald Publishing

Global mobility and the career of the stay-at-home partner

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References (63)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2049-8799
DOI
10.1108/jgm-08-2018-0042
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Contemporary global mobility and dual careers are two key features of working life today. Little is known, however, about where they intersect, where one partner travels for their career, while the other partner is left behind, caring for the family and attempting to manage their own career. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the partner’s career is impacted by the traveller’s absence, and the strategies employed to enable their continued career development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on semi-structured interviews with the partners of international yachtsmen.FindingsThe findings highlight the prioritisation of the traveller’s career, for reasons of finance and their passion for their career. The implications of this could be detrimental to the partner’s career. Personalised, flexible working arrangements are essential in order for the partner to achieve a sustainable career of their own.Research limitations/implicationsThe gendered nature of the sample provides an opportunity for further research examining the implications of the female being the traveller and the male the stay at home partner.Practical implicationsThe paper examines a range of alternative strategies for maintaining or developing the career when also faced with additional family responsibilities.Originality/valueThis paper gives consideration to the career of the stay at home partner. A new dual-career strategy is identified – the entrepreneurial secondary career strategy, which has the potential to deliver the flexibility required to manage both work and family demands, and allow partners to enact their authentic career.

Journal

Journal of Global Mobility The Home of Expatriate Management Research – Emerald Publishing

Published: Apr 11, 2019

Keywords: Family; Dual careers; Global mobility; Women’s careers

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