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.
CITATION STYLE
Sengupta, S., Patel, P., Mohyuddin, S., Prikshat, V., Rajesh, J. I., & Rana, V. (2023). Wind of change brought by COVID-19: Exploring the response and the new normal from the perspectives of Indian flexpatriates. Thunderbird International Business Review, 65(1), 103–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.22281
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