Wind of change brought by COVID-19: Exploring the response and the new normal from the perspectives of Indian flexpatriates

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Sengupta, Santoshi
Patel, Parth
Mohyuddin, Syed
Prikshat, Verma
Rajesh, J Irudhaya
Rana, Vishal
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2023
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Abstract

Drawing from the positive organizational change theory, this paper aims to explore how Indian flexpatriates responded to the change brought by the pandemic of COVID-19 and what is the new normal according to them. Thematic analysis of 19 in-depth interviews with flexpatriates from the IT industry revealed four explicit phases of change process – reflection, communication, collaboration, and transformation. Further, the analysis brought out four tenets of the new normal. First, it is time to blend physical and virtual work; second, the “personal” touch of Indians in international assignments is irreplaceable; third, working from home amidst the entire household being housebound is the new normal; and last, international travel will resume soon with some changed protocols. This is the first qualitative study combining the issue of global talent management with Indian flexpatriates vis-à-vis the impact of COVID-19, the findings of which expand the positive organizational change theory and have important implications.

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Thunderbird International Business Review

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65

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1

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Accounting, auditing and accountability

Human resources and industrial relations

Strategy, management and organisational behaviour

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Sengupta, S; Patel, P; Mohyuddin, S; Prikshat, V; Rajesh, JI; Rana, V, Wind of change brought by COVID-19: Exploring the response and the new normal from the perspectives of Indian flexpatriates, Thunderbird International Business Review, 2023, 65 (1), pp. 103-116

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