Boundaryless Global Careers : The International Itinerants

Abstract

This study extends the description and explanation of boundaryless careers to the global arena. It presents the case of a new breed of expatriate managers who are becoming more prevalent in multinational corporations--the international itinerant. It defines international itinerants, describes elements typical to their career management, proposes possible differences in career management between traditional expatriate managers and international itinerants, delineates the advantages and disadvantages to the organization and to the individual manager of their employment in multinational corporations (MNCs), and offers propositions regarding these itinerants' career management. Finally, implications for the research of career management and for MNCs' officials and international itinerants are suggested.