One in five expatriates sees advantages in the pandemic: A psychologist in Bamberg investigates how the current situation is affecting employees from abroad. (17.03.2021)
Expatriates often find themselves navigating life in a foreign country, learning a new language and culture, and forming new connections in their new environment. One might assume that the corona virus pandemic has particularly harsh effects on them.. However, what does the reality look like? "Surprisingly, one in five expatriates believes the impact of the pandemic has been positive ;conversely, , a quarter of our respondents view the situation negatively," states Anh Nguyen, a social and organisational psychologist and project collaborator at the University of Bamberg. Alongside Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen, she has been involved in the international research project "GLOMO - Global Mobility of Employees" since early 2020, aiming to understand why migrants choose to work for companies on a long-term basis. They are now presenting interim findings related to the pandemic.
Singles particularly affected by negative perceptions
Between July and November 2020, Anh Nguyen conducted an online survey involving 707 migrant workers from 98 different countries, currently residing in the UK, Germany or France. The results reveal that 21.8 percent of respondents feel their lives have improved due to the pandemic. “Those with a positive outlook appreciate having more time with their partners," explains Anh Nguyen. "They also value the opportunity to learn new skills – whether related to technology or personal insights about their needs and perspectives." Notably, half of the respondents (50.8 percent) reported that the pandemic has neither improved nor worsened their lives.
However, 27.4 per cent of respondents expressed a negative perception of the current situation. "Concerns about financial stability are prevalent among some individuals,”" says Anh Nguyen. "Notably, singles, as well as those who are separated or divorced, tend to view the pandemic more negatively. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among women, who often lead more isolated lives and consequently have fewer personal connections. To address these challenges, she recommends that companies take proactive steps to support their female employees. This could include organising activities such as nature walks or virtual lunches to facilitate networking opportunities. Additionally, companies could send out communications offering assistance, , such as information on psychological support services.
GLOMO – A major interdisciplinary European project
The interim results presented here are part of the broader GLOMO project, which spans from January 2018 to May 2022. This interdisciplinary research project, led by the University of Bamberg, focuses on employee mobility and involves collaboration with eight European partner universities and organisations. Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen, who holds the Chair of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviourat the University of Bamberg, is coordinating the GLOMO project. The European Commission is providing substantial support, contributing 3.9 million euros through the ‘Horizon 2020’ funding programme. GLOMO aligns with the research focus on ‘Empirical Social Research on Education and Labour’ at the University of Bamberg. For further information and the latest updates on this research focus, please visit: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/research/profile/empirical-social-research-on-education-and-labour/.
For more details about the GLOMO, project, please visit: https://glomo.eu/
https://www.uni-bamberg.de/presse/pm/artikel/corona-auswirkungen-ausgewanderte/
Source: BAGSS/Universität Bamberg
Further information for media representatives:
Contact for content-related queries:
Anh Nguyen
Research assistant in the GLOMO project
anh.nguyen(at)uni-bamberg.de
Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen
Chair of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour
maike.andresen(at)uni-bamberg.de
Note: The contact persons are currently available only via email but will respond as soon as possible.
Media contact:
Patricia Achter
Research Communication Project Office
Phone: 0951/863-1146
forschungskommunikation(at)uni-bamberg.de
Translated from the original in German
Expatriates within the pandemic: Two sides of a same coin (17.03.2021)
Is the pandemic always bad for expatriates’ quality of life? A study conducted on expatriates in three European countries reveals that the answer is: “not necessarily”.
The research team implemented a survey asking more than 700 employed expatriates in United Kingdom, France and Germany to rate the pandemic’s impact on their quality of life. Topics included material comfort, health and safety, relationships (with immediate and extended family, friends), parenting, learning and development, self-awareness, work, helping others, socialization, and recreation.
Results of the study revealed some unexpected patterns in the pandemic’s impact on expatriates’ life. The majority (50.8%) were, in general, not affected. However, 21.8% of the respondents, surprisingly, reported that the pandemic actually improved their life quality, especially in terms of learning and development, self-awareness, and relationships with partner; as well as helping them to appreciate their jobs. It was interesting that assignees and married expatriates were more likely to fall into this group. The pandemic perhaps pushed these expatriates to increase their knowledge and use of various remote collaboration and communication tools, as well as providing character-building challenges when dealing with uncertainty and crisis. Moreover, lockdown situations might have shifted expatriates’ focus from the ‘outside’ to ‘inside’ worlds, thus improving their relationships with family members and ‘pushing’ them to be more self-aware, helping them balance their personal and professional lives.
By contrast, it is also noteworthy to mention that the pandemic severely and negatively affected approximately a quarter of the respondents. The most negatively impacted aspects were health and personal safety, material comfort, relationships with family members and friends, socializing, and recreation. Female expatriates in particular, as well as both male and female expatriates living alone (single, separated, or divorced) appeared to be most vulnerable. The research team therefore recommends companies to pay close attention to these groups and provide support for their unsatisfied needs. For instance, companies might offer expatriates who live alone more opportunities to interact with colleagues, even virtually and informally. They also might require regular follow-up and updates on the current status of the pandemic in their host country. Additionally, establishing a women network can be a good resource for female expatriates where they can connect, interact, share, and support each other.
Contact research team:
Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen, Full Professor, Chair of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, University of Bamberg, Germany/ GLOMO Project Coordinator
Anh Nguyen, M.Sc., Early Stage Researcher, GLOMO Project
T: 0049 951 863 2570, Email: wellbeingexpatriates.bwl-personal(at)uni-bamberg.de.
This research has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 765355.
Photo © Cherrydeck
Authors: Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen, Anh Nguyen (M.Sc.), Blanca Suarez-Bilbao (M.Sc.)
Retaining foreign employees in the long term: How companies integrate migrants - interim results of a study by the University of Bamberg (23.06.2020)
Why do migrants work for organisations and companies in the long term? Anh Nguyen, a social and organisational psychologist at the University of Bamberg, is investigating this question as part of the international research project 'GLOMO - Global Mobility of Employees'. GLOMO encompasses this inquiry along with 14 other sub-studies. In addition to conducting extensive foundational research, one GLOMO’s practical objectives is to develop an audit or certification that recognises organisations providing excellent working conditions for international employees. "This initiative aims to reward those organisations that prioritise the wellbeing of their international workforce,” explains GLOMO project coordinator Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen from the University of Bamberg. The research team is developing a comprehensive set of criteria for the audit, which Anh Nguyen is actively contributing to. The first interim results of her sub-project are now available, offering recommendations for fostering long-term international working relationships.
Organisations should facilitate integration
Anh Nguyen has systematically analysed and evaluated 55 studies on migration. To retain foreign employees in the long term and fully leverage their contributions, organisations must consider not only the professional aspects but also the personal environment of these employees. Her analysis reveals that : ‘The more comfortable immigrant employees feel in the host country, the greater the benefits for companies: Employees perform better and are more likely to engage in voluntary, constructive services.’ To facilitate this comfort, organisations should assist employees in settling into their new environment. This could include offering language courses or distributing newsletters that highlight important social and cultural events in the area. ‘Such events provide employees with opportunities to interact with locals, helping them better understand the local culture and social norms,’ says Anh Nguyen.
In addition to the work and personal environment, family plays a key role in fostering connections and enhancing performance: “Migrants often meet local parents through their children, and partners can support each other in expanding their social circles. This not only leads to the development of important social networks but also provides family and friends as vital resources for stress reduction.”Anh Nguyen recommends that organisations collaborate with immigration authorities to facilitate family reunification. Maintaining contact with employment agencies and professional networks is also essential to assist employees' partners in finding jobs. Furthermore, companies can offer support in securing housing and navigating the health and education sectors, she advises.
‘It's important to step out of your comfort zone.’
What can immigrants do to acclimate to their new surroundings? “Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for getting to know the country, culture and people better,' says Anh Nguyen. Initially, unfamiliar rules and behaviours may lead to culture shock. It’s important to view these new experiences positively, as this is the only way to develop cultural intelligence. For example, as a native Vietnamese, she is accustomed to subtle communication. However, during her time as a a human resources manager in the Netherlands, she learned to communicate more directly a skill that now benefits her in Germany.
Anh Nguyen's next step involves conducting a survey of HR managers, line managers and foreign employees across Europe. She aims to use this data to identify the conditions necessary for retaining migrants within companies. Data collection will continue until the end of 2020, with analysis planned for the following year.
The GLOMO project spans from January 2018 to December 2021. In this interdisciplinary research initiative, the University of Bamberg, in collaboration with eight European partner universities and organisations, is investigating worker mobility. Alongside Anh Nguyen, another doctoral student at the University of Bamberg is also contributing to the GLOMO project, which is supported by the European Commission with 3.9 million euros from the ‘Horizon 2020’ funding programme.
For more information about GLOMO, visit:
https://www.uni-bamberg.de/news/artikel/glomo-doktorandenstellen-2018/
https://glomo.eu/
Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen and Anh Nguyen are part of the research area ‘Empirical Social Research on Education and Labour’ at the University of Bamberg. For further information and the latest updates on this research focus, visit https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/research/profile/empirical-social-research-on-education-and-labour/
https://www.uni-bamberg.de/presse/pm/artikel/auslaendische-mitarbeitende-langfristig-binden/
Source: BAGSS/Universität Bamberg
Further information for media representatives:
Contact for content-related queries:
Prof. Dr. Maike Andresen
Chair of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour
maike.andresen(at)uni-bamberg.de
Anh Nguyen
Research assistant, GLOMO project
anh.nguyen(at)uni-bamberg.de
Note: The contact persons are currently available only via email but will respond to as soon as possible!
Media contact:
Patricia Achter
Research Communication Project Office
Phone: 0951/863-1146
forschungskommunikation(at)uni-bamberg.de
Translated from the original in German