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Tami J. France, Ph.D. is a 2015 graduate of the PhD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

Dr. Tami J. France [Center] at her Dissertation Defense with Dr. Carol Baron [Left], Committee Member and Dr. Lize Booysen [Right], Committee Chair. August 2015

Dissertation Committee

  • Lize A.E. Booysen, DBL, Committee Chair
  • Carol Baron, PhD, Committee Member
  • James Warner, PhD, Committee Member
  • Karen Lokkesmoe, PhD, External Reader

Keywords

Mixed-Method, Quantitative, Qualitative, Sequential, Global, Expatriates, Leaders, Resilience, Professional Success, Human Resources, Mentoring, Coaching, Leadership, Women, Gender, International, Asia, Multinational Corporations, Cross-Cultural Work

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

In this world of global interconnectedness women continue to develop cross-cultural careers and their experiences impact and influence global scholarship and practice. Through this study, the relationships, resources, and characteristics that support female expatriate success were explored, with additional focus on the role of mentor and coach relationships. The mixed-methods study was conducted using a sequential approach to research that began with one-on-one semi structured interviews with ten professional women from the United States and Canada working or formerly working in China and Hong Kong. A survey was designed based on the interview findings. Professional women from western countries working or formerly working in eastern cultures responded to the 90-question survey (n = 102). The data collection process ended with facilitated focus groups, attended by nine professional women from the United States, Canada, and Australia working or formerly working in China and Hong Kong. The research findings offer evidence that resiliency-based characteristics must be cultivated and developed to support expatriate cross-cultural success. Findings show perceived success was impacted by expatriate resiliency, access to a mentor/coach, opportunities to support others, prior international experience, and culture specific language skills. A significant relationship was found between specific characteristics and expatriate resiliency. Based on the overall findings, the Cross‑Cultural Professional Success model was designed and includes four dimensions. This emergent model is presented and discussed followed by a reflective auto-ethnography section. The research study concludes by offering implications for female expatriates, organizational programming, and future research. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA http://aura.antioch.edu/and OhioLink ETD Center https://etd.ohiolink.edu/etd

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Tami J. France, Ph.D.

Tami France, PhD, PHR, has designed her career within the Human Resources and Organization Development fields in both the healthcare and hospitality industries. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University Of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management with a focus on Human Resources and Industrial Relations. She holds a Master’s Degree from the University of St. Thomas in Human Resources and Change Leadership and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. Her research focus is based on cross-cultural leadership frameworks.

Tami is working at the Mayo Clinic as a Leadership Learning and Development Consultant focusing on leadership development programs and organizational change initiatives. Prior to this role she held the title of Regional Human Resources & Talent Development Manager – Greater China where she was working with a multinational organization in the hospitality industry based in Shanghai, China.

Tami has traveled extensively and has been involved in speaking engagements in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She recently accepted an adjunct faculty appointment with the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management, one of the top business schools in the Midwest. She holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute, a Bronze Quality Fellow certificate from Mayo Clinic, and is an Immunity to Change (ITC) Coach. Tami is the former President of the Twin Cities Hospitality Personnel Association (TCHPA) and is an active member of the International Leadership Association (ILA) and a current board member with the Minnesota Organization Development Network (MNODN). Tami enjoys engaging in work with a focus on global and cross-cultural professional success, organization development strategy, leadership coaching, and change management projects.

Connect with Dr. Tami France on LinkedIn and read about her Dissertation Journey on her co-created Blog.

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