Initiating careers abroad - The hazards and pitfalls of international recruitment

Abstract

In this thesis we argue that some Swedish recruitment firms handle the problems with international recruitment in a manner inconsistent with the research on the subject. This seems to be the case even though the firms have a deep knowledge into the writings on international recruitment. The same problematic areas like family relocation and short- versus long-term assignments are identified in both the firms experience and academic studies. Nevertheless, the firms studied display very different approaches to handling, or not handling these problematic areas. But even though the firms place differing amounts of attention on preventing problematic situations to arise, none of them seems to be in any sort of jeopardy. On the contrary, the firms are expanding and/or have a solid international presence.