Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Learning work-life balance: the experiences of self-initiated Korean expatriates in Sweden

Koycheva, Borislava (2018) ACET35
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
This study focused on the experience of self-initiated Korean expatriated in Sweden. The purpose of this research was to examine and analyse the process of learning and adjustment to the new environment and specifically work-life balance. The theoretical framework was composed by cognitive adjustment theory and Berry’s acculturation model. The method that was used was qualitative research build on 9 semi-structured interviews. The data collected was coded and was analysed in accordance to the theoretical framework.

The findings revealed differences in the experience of work-life balance between Korean and Swedish-/internationally-owned companies. Experiences in the Korean-owned companies were marked by lesser opportunity to learn ad... (More)
This study focused on the experience of self-initiated Korean expatriated in Sweden. The purpose of this research was to examine and analyse the process of learning and adjustment to the new environment and specifically work-life balance. The theoretical framework was composed by cognitive adjustment theory and Berry’s acculturation model. The method that was used was qualitative research build on 9 semi-structured interviews. The data collected was coded and was analysed in accordance to the theoretical framework.

The findings revealed differences in the experience of work-life balance between Korean and Swedish-/internationally-owned companies. Experiences in the Korean-owned companies were marked by lesser opportunity to learn ad initiate adjustment. In Swedish/Internationally-owned companies signals for the need for change were more present and the expatriates underwent an adjustment process to internalize the new cultural values and norms. The evidence outlined that in cases of conflict between the two cultural patterns, the expatriates used reinterpretation to create a hybrid of the two cultures. Finally, evidence suggests a high level of self-awareness and willingness to trade-off between the two cultures, which resulted in the successful integration of the expatriates. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Koycheva, Borislava
supervisor
organization
course
ACET35
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
self-initiated expatriates, culture, cognitive adjustment, learning, acculturation, work-life balance
language
English
id
8962177
date added to LUP
2018-10-22 16:18:20
date last changed
2018-10-22 16:18:20
@misc{8962177,
  abstract     = {{This study focused on the experience of self-initiated Korean expatriated in Sweden. The purpose of this research was to examine and analyse the process of learning and adjustment to the new environment and specifically work-life balance. The theoretical framework was composed by cognitive adjustment theory and Berry’s acculturation model. The method that was used was qualitative research build on 9 semi-structured interviews. The data collected was coded and was analysed in accordance to the theoretical framework.

The findings revealed differences in the experience of work-life balance between Korean and Swedish-/internationally-owned companies. Experiences in the Korean-owned companies were marked by lesser opportunity to learn ad initiate adjustment. In Swedish/Internationally-owned companies signals for the need for change were more present and the expatriates underwent an adjustment process to internalize the new cultural values and norms. The evidence outlined that in cases of conflict between the two cultural patterns, the expatriates used reinterpretation to create a hybrid of the two cultures. Finally, evidence suggests a high level of self-awareness and willingness to trade-off between the two cultures, which resulted in the successful integration of the expatriates.}},
  author       = {{Koycheva, Borislava}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Learning work-life balance: the experiences of self-initiated Korean expatriates in Sweden}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}