Who Really Benefits from International Assignments: Home vs. Host
Episode Description
In this episode, Ben discusses an open-access research paper published in The International Journal of Human Resource Management that examines how international assignments create different types of organizational value for home and host units. Co-authored by Phil Renshaw, Emma Parry, and MasteringGM® co-founder Michael Dickmann, the study challenges simplistic views of assignment ROI and offers a more nuanced perspective on value creation over time.
What This Episode Covers
• why “organizational value” of international assignments is often treated too simplistically
• how home and host organizations benefit differently — and at different points in time
• why some benefits materialize during assignments while others emerge after repatriation
• how cost allocation shapes perceptions of value and fairness
• why many valuable outcomes of international assignments are difficult to measure
Three Key Takeaways
• organizational value differs between home and host units and should be discussed explicitly
• international assignments often involve trade-offs rather than automatic win-win outcomes
• much of the home-side value depends on what happens after the assignment ends
Key Insight
International assignments do not create a single, uniform form of value. Understanding who benefits, when benefits occur, and how costs are allocated is essential for making better Global Mobility decisions and for articulating value credibly.
Why This Matters
As organizations increasingly question the return on international assignments, Global Mobility professionals need more sophisticated ways to explain value beyond short-term cost metrics. This paper provides a strong foundation for reframing the conversation.
Referenced Article (Open Access)
Renshaw, P. S. J., Parry, E., & Dickmann, M. (2024). Exploring the organizational value of international assignments: home versus host. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 35(19), 3242–3270. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.2403538
Host
Hosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®.
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