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.