Cultural and gender-specific challenges faced by Swedish female expatriates in East Asia and how they adjust to the challenges

Abstract

The study explores how Swedish female expatriates in East Asia experience and manages cultural and gender-specific challenges. By analyzing and drawing on relevant literature such as expatriates, cross-cultural adjustment and gendered organizations, this thesis aims to contribute to the knowledge, understanding and literature on female expatriation. Through an abductive research approach and a qualitative multiple-case study, this thesis analyses findings from 16 semi-structured interviews with Swedish female expatriates based in Japan, China and South Korea. The findings highlight how culture and gender-specific challenges are interconnected mechanisms, rather than separate, shaping expatriates’ adjustment and performance. Hierarchy, collectivism and indirect communication shaped expatriates’ adjustment and experience, affecting how women gained legitimacy and accessed opportunities. Furthermore, the thesis nuances concept such as “third gender” and sheds light on the challenges of being a foreign woman in a society where gender norms are strongly rooted. Moreover, there was an emphasis on cultural understanding as well as organizational support for expatriates to succeed. Hence, this study provides a framework explaining certain aspects leading to successful expatriate performance.