The importance of intelligent career and location considerations: Exploring the decision to go to London

Abstract

Purpose

Research neglects the role that specific locations play in the decision process to accept international work. This paper aims to explore the career drivers of individuals working as expatriates in London (UK) and to focus on the relationships with specific location attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 11 qualitative in‐depth interviews and 348 quantitative questionnaire responses are used to explore the importance of intelligent career considerations for working as an expatriate in London.

Findings

A range of location‐specific factors and intelligent career considerations is identified and quantitatively assessed. The study depicts the links of perceived career factors and location‐specific drivers.

Originality/value

Applying the intelligent careers framework, the research goes beyond the normally used broad national factors to explore career capital drivers that motivate individuals to go to a specific city location. In exploring the relatively neglected areas of knowing‐whom and knowing‐why it sheds light on international relocation decision making. These insights inform further academic research and help to shape expatriation policies and practices of organizations.

Citation

Dickmann, M. and Mills, T. (2010), "The importance of intelligent career and location considerations: Exploring the decision to go to London", Personnel Review, Vol. 39 No. 1, pp. 116-134. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483481011007896