EXPATRIATES VS. HOST-COUNTRY NATIONALS: ANALYSIS OF WORKING CONDITIONS FROM A RAWLS’S JUSTICE PERSPECTIVE
Jaime Bonache, Professor, Cranfield University, United Kingdom
Victor Oltra, Dr., University of Valencia, Spain
Chris Brewster, Professor, University of Reading, United Kingdom

Abstract
In this paper, we develop a theoretical framework useful for analyzing the systemic fairness of international work arrangements – especially regarding differences in working conditions between expatriates and local employees. Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, we try to overcome the limitations of traditional approaches to the topic – notably equity theory. Moral philosophy is the key underpinning for our framework – represented in our paper by Rawls’s (1972) theory of justice. We apply our framework to analyzing a number of popular expatriation-related practices, and find that systemic unfairness is common in international work arrangements. With this paper, we expect to promote a more comprehensive and critical view of the idea of justice in international work arrangements. Hence, we aim to provide new conceptual grounds for advancing in fairness issues related to expatriation, and also to help international managers avoid practices restricting local employees’ satisfaction and commitment and eventually jeopardizing expatriates’ work performance.
Keywords: expatriates, host-country nationals, working conditions, justice, Rawls