A multi-level systematic literature review of contextual influences on international career behaviors and directions for future research

The purpose of this paper is to stimulate and guide future international human resource management research toward greater and more purposeful contextualizing of international careers. This is because international careers are not only driven by the individuals who purse them but are also influenced by a range of contextual features at multiple levels that impact individuals’ career behaviors. Therefore, we use a multi-level systematic literature review approach to identify and analyze the contextual influences that have been investigated within more than two decades of research on international careers. Our review generates detailed understanding of contextual features at the macro-level (home and host country and industry influences); meso-level (headquarter and subsidiary influences); and micro-level (team and individual influences) and discusses how each influences the behaviors of those interested in pursuing an international career. Through our analysis, we also uncover contextual gaps in the literature and the need for greater theoretical grounding, incorporation of relevant frameworks drawing from related career theories (i.e., social cognitive career theory), and more novel methodological designs and approaches to further highlight contextual influences on international careers at multiple levels. Lastly, we provide multi-level practical insights on how best to assist those pursuing international careers.