Female expatriate managers - why so few?: dual-perspective
case studies of three Swedish MNCs

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons
behind the low ratio of women among expatriate managers of Swedish
multinational corporations. It deals with the reasons for the low ratio of
women among Swedish MNC expatriates, as described from a corporate
perspective and female expatriates’ perspective. The study, which has a
qualitative approach, was conducted with a mainly descriptive purpose. The
chosen research strategy was three case studies, and the primary data was
collected through telephone interviews with three human resource managers
and three female expatriates. Secondary data was collected in the form of
documentation. Results show that reasons for the low ratio of female
expatriates, as described from a corporate perspective, are mainly related
to the usage of an array of informal factors. Such factors include an
unconscious tendency of men choosing other men, male networks, and the fact
that expatriate candidates are well known to selectors. Reasons from the
female expatriates’ perspective are primarily connected to dual-career and
family issues, but a lack of female role models, mentoring and networking
also seems to contribute to the low ratio of women among expatriate managers
of Swedish multinational corporations. In addition, there are tendencies
toward differences in perspectives between corporations and female
expatriates.