TY - JOUR
T1 - International careers and career success of Indian women in science & technology
T2 - The importance of career capital and organizational capital
AU - Valk, R.
AU - van der Velde, E.G.
AU - van Engen, M.L.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - This article presents a study on international careers and career success of Indian women in Science & Technology (S&T). We conducted interviews with 30 (upper) middle class Indian women in New Delhi and Bangalore (India) who pursued careers abroad as self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). Important elements of career capital competencies in international career pursuits and career success of Indian women SIEs in S&T were: (a) families who value higher education and careers of their female children, which motivated women to pursue international careers to elevate family class status (knowing-why); (b) the motivation to gain knowledge and skills in science and technology (knowing-how) and (c) the encouragement and support from family for women’s international career pursuits, and international networks (knowing-whom). Furthermore, findings show that patriarchy entrenched in Indian society and culture resulted in a lack of organizational capital, which impede career success of women in S&T. We advise organizations in India to implement HR policies and practices embracing the development of career capital to empower Indian women in S&T to be successful in their international careers.
Keywords: Indian women, self-initiated expatriates, career capital, organizational capital, career success
AB - This article presents a study on international careers and career success of Indian women in Science & Technology (S&T). We conducted interviews with 30 (upper) middle class Indian women in New Delhi and Bangalore (India) who pursued careers abroad as self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). Important elements of career capital competencies in international career pursuits and career success of Indian women SIEs in S&T were: (a) families who value higher education and careers of their female children, which motivated women to pursue international careers to elevate family class status (knowing-why); (b) the motivation to gain knowledge and skills in science and technology (knowing-how) and (c) the encouragement and support from family for women’s international career pursuits, and international networks (knowing-whom). Furthermore, findings show that patriarchy entrenched in Indian society and culture resulted in a lack of organizational capital, which impede career success of women in S&T. We advise organizations in India to implement HR policies and practices embracing the development of career capital to empower Indian women in S&T to be successful in their international careers.
Keywords: Indian women, self-initiated expatriates, career capital, organizational capital, career success
U2 - 10.1177/2322093714549107
DO - 10.1177/2322093714549107
M3 - Article
VL - 1
SP - 175
EP - 205
JO - South Asian Journal of Human Resource Management
JF - South Asian Journal of Human Resource Management
SN - 2322-0937
IS - 2
ER -