The influence of the family during self-initiated expatriation.

Abstract

Since the reintegration of South Africa into the global world, the country has attracted immigrants of different categories, both from far and near. There are two types of expatriates, namely traditional and self-initiated expatriates (SIE). This study investigated the influence of the family on self-initiated expatriates (SIE) during expatriation. The study adopted a qualitative methodology to investigate. The target population of the study was approximately 200,000 expatriates who reside in Durban, South Africa. A snowball sampling methodology was used to select 30 samples, including shop attendants, shop owners and other categories of SIEs from Asia and Africa. However, data was collected from only 18 participants through interviews to understand better the participants' opinions, behaviour, and experiences concerning the phenomenon. The data was then transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that the expatriation of SIEs to South Africa is influenced by factors such as job opportunities, business and trade, education, political instability and civil war, family problems, fear of persecution, infrastructure development and desire to travel abroad. In addition, it was found that the nature of marriage, family size, children education and well-being and work-life balance are essential family-related factors that influence the decision of SIEs to emigrate to South Africa. Moreover, the study discovered the adjustment challenges self-initiated expatriates and their families faced in South Africa, including the cost of living, permit issues, culture differences, loneliness, xenophobia, unemployment, language difference and escalating crime. Based on these challenges, the following recommendations were made: cross-cultural training, social networking, government protection and language training. Future research should consider using a quantitative research method, or a mixed methodology and a large sample size to determine adjustment strategies employed by self-initiated expatriates and their families in South Africa.