The Three-phase Journey of Women Expatriates: A Relativistic Qualitative Research Study

The increased participation rate of women expatriates---from 3% in the 1980s to 23% in 2005 (Adler, 1984a; GMAC, 2005)---incorporated with the plethora of experiences of women expatriates guided the need for additional research with a focus on women expatriates. Prior research often excluded women professionals and has given very little attention to women expatriates (Smith & Still, 1996). Of the expatriate studies conducted, research overwhelmingly focused on US men (Taylor & Napier, 2001). Taylor & Napier (2001) concluded that because the research centered on the views of men and often excluded women expatriates, it cast doubt on the applicability of the findings to women expatriates. This relativistic qualitative study centers on the views of women expatriates and explores the experiences of women expatriates. The study explores the feelings and emotions women expatriates encountered during their expatriate journey.