| Summary: | The main research problem in this study was to identify a framework that can be utilised for the integration of skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) into Qatari organisations. The main research problem gave rise to six sub-problems that were addressed through the following actions: A literature study was conducted to explore what the existing literature revealed about facilitating successful expatriate integration. In particular, the theoretical guidelines for expatriate recruitment and selection, orientation and cross-cultural integration were presented and discussed. Special attention was given to community embeddedness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten members from the sample group. These were undertaken to obtain their views on the expectations that their organisations had of them upon their arrival in Qatar, as well as on what they felt made it easy or difficult for them to adjust. Subsequently, a structured survey questionnaire was developed using the theoretical guidelines from the literature review and the insights gained from the semi-structured interviews. The survey was conducted in Qatar and administered to 102 skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates from diverse backgrounds and three work sectors, namely: healthcare, education and aviation. The final sample size was 94 due to eight questionnaires not being completed properly. The results from the empirical study revealed a gap between theoretical guidelines/ best practices and the recruitment and selection, orientation and cross-cultural integration practices at the respondents’ organisations. The knowledge gained from the existing literature and from the quantitative and qualitative results of the empirical study were combined and developed into a framework for the integration of skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates into Qatari organisations (refer to Table 5.35). Areas that were identified for improvement related to issues such as the need for Qatari organisations to: provide SIEs with more comprehensive information regarding the role that they will play as knowledge workers with regard to the development/training of Qatari nationals; implement a more comprehensive recruitment, selection and orientation process, and implement a more robust set of strategies to enhance the cross-cultural integration of their expatriate workers. Globalisation has fuelled organisations and countries towards building and/or strengthening knowledge-based economies. However in order to build competitive, knowledge-based economies, organisations and countries require skilled/professional workers. Skilled/professional self-initiated expatriates can provide Qatar with a pipeline of knowledge workers to support the growth of their emerging knowledge-based economy. As such, a framework that will enhance the integration of self-initiated expatriates into Qatari organisations is of paramount importance, specifically with regard to fostering performance excellence, satisfaction and community embeddedness within the Qatari work and cultural system.
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