Informal networks are a societal phenomenon that can be a significant obstacle to the effectiveness of international managers and expatriates. However, informal networks can simultaneously enable and facilitate business activities and support the efficiency and effectiveness of managerial actions. While informal networking has been universally regarded as an important feature of expatriate effectiveness, respective network constructs as well as the act of networking abroad, remain weakly understood when taking expatriates’ ability to connect to local networks into account.

This webinar will showcase conceptual and empirical research on informal networks in International HRM. Its purpose is to create awareness that informal networking is not only relevant to the field of expatriate management but also to the broader trend towards global mobility and social cohesion in diverse and pluralistic societies.