Unpacking the Power and Spatial Dynamics Within the Global Mobility Literature: Towards a More Critical Theorizing

Abstract

Global patterns of work and global mobility have become increasingly prevalent within the Global Talent Management (GTM) discourse, albeit with a narrow focus on expatriation, elite talent, performance driven practices - overlooking emerging trends of work, the diverse pool of talent, and alternative forms of global work arrangements. Within this changing mobility context, the research questions driving our work are: (1) What kinds of perspectives or considerations does a mobilities lens introduce to GTM, and (2) how might these affect our understanding of global mobility and GTM practices and dynamics? We leverage Massey’s Power Geometry model to critically examine the discourse on global mobility, uncovering power dynamics and spatial aspects often overlooked in the GTM literature. Through our conceptual framework, we focus on three key interrelated areas: power of mobility, hierarchy of mobility, and control over mobility. Our conceptual framework can serve to unpack the complexity of global mobility as a multi-level and multi-actor phenomenon and highlight how it’s affected by power dynamics at every level. It provides a broader, more inclusive understanding of global mobility forms, and brings out the intersectional dynamics and power relations overlooked in mainstream global mobility research.