Qualitative study examines workplace dynamics and family obligations of Chinese expatriates in UAE, suggesting complex interactions influence professional mobility.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how Chinese professional expatriates in the UAE negotiate workplace positioning and transnational family obligations within a super-diverse labour market context. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on an interpretivist qualitative design, this study analyses 19 semi-structured interviews using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings The analysis identifies two interrelated dynamics shaping expatriate experiences: linguistic hierarchies that structure relational positioning within organisations and transnational filial obligations that influence career mobility and family engagement across borders. Originality/value This study contributes to expatriation research by linking workplace positioning and intergenerational obligation within a non-Western destination context, highlighting how professional mobility is negotiated across both organisational and familial domains.
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Mustafa et al. (2026) studied this question.
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