Analyzing Engagement Effects for Repatriate Retention

Due to the nature and increasing rate of globalization companies are continuing to send their employees abroad to gain experience and knowledge to maintain or develop a competitive advantage. However, at some point, these companies need to repatriate their employees and bring them back into the fold. Currently general consensus suggests there is a very high turnover rate for repatriates and the loss of the knowledge and experience gained is a serious setback for an organization. Further research in examining the antecedents of turnover intention with the aim of reducing this behavior is needed to enhance future competitive capabilities. The main goal of this paper is to suggest the application of engagement as a mediating factor in an empirical analysis of factors that may affect the turnover intention of repatriates. The implications suggest that further research into turnover intention of repatriates could lead to a better understanding of strategic planning in terms of human resources and ease the transition of repatriates back into their organizations.