The expatriate privilege paradox: structurally positioned identity and coping during crisis

Purpose This qualitative study explores how expatriates perceive privilege during a crisis, applying social comparison theory and expatriate identity theory. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on twenty semi-structured interviews, the study employed reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes and develop conceptual models of structurally positioned identity and privilege paradox. Findings Our findings identify an expatriate privilege paradox: while expatriates actively employed coping strategies through their personal and social identity to preserve a sense of privilege, they simultaneously experienced structural exclusion from both host and home countries. We argue that this paradox is rooted in structurally positioned identity, shaped by legal, institutional, national, and regulatory regimes that can both grant and withdraw privilege during crises. Research limitations/implications Conducting research within more homogeneous groups could provide greater specificity within host countries. Comparative research into expatriates' perceptions of privilege post-pandemic could capture a deeper understanding of expatriate privilege. A direct measure of expatriate perceived privilege could provide a deeper understanding. Practical implications Given the privilege paradox and the associated risks of status loss and double exclusion affecting expatriates' well-being, these findings underscore the need for targeted support mechanisms and higher-level institutional responses. At the same time, the study identifies effective coping strategies that organisations can leverage to better support expatriates during crises. Originality/value This is the first study to conceptualise structurally positioned identity and the expatriate privilege paradox to explain how expatriate privilege may become conditional and structurally constrained under crisis conditions.