Factors Contributing to the Success of Female Self-initiated Expatriate Service Workers in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Research into self-initiated expatriate (SIE) success is important when a nation’s workforce is overwhelmingly comprised of expatriates. We examined the direct effect of perceived organizational support and adjustment on intent to stay and job engagement and the mediation effect of adjustment for lower-skilled, female SIEs in the UAE. Hypotheses were tested using correlation, multiple regression and bootstrapped mediation analysis. Perceived organizational support and work adjustment demonstrated a significant, positive, direct effect on intent to stay and engagement. Work adjustment partially mediated the effect of perceived organizational support on engagement and intent to stay. Results and implications are discussed.