Popping the 'bubble' metaphor: Separation and integration of expatriate communities

Miao, Chengcheng; Gaggiotti, Hugo; Brewster, Chris

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss multiple uses of the concept of “bubble” as a metaphor to refer to different experiences of foreign working communities and suggests a more flexible and comprehensive approach. Design/methodology/approach: Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted at different locations, the authors propose changing the use of the bubble metaphor from an analogy of living in isolation to a way of conceptualising the changing contexts and characteristics that impact the porosity and permeability of communities. Findings: The paper suggests that when using the metaphor as a concept, the following considerations need to be taken into account: (1) the conventional thinking that “expat-bubbles” are isolated places, (2) any simplistic notion that different internationally mobile workers will be less or more immersed in the local community and (3) the use of the bubble metaphor without a careful delineation and reference to its permeability and porosity. Originality/value: The paper helps to visualise a different dimension of the traditional taken-for-granted representation of the bubble. The bubble emerges as a rich analogical concept not to explain binomial representations of integration-separation. Rather than a simple “open” or “closed”, bubbles became more or less porous and permeable depending on the experiences of foreign working communities.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 24, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 25, 2022
• Publication Date: Mar 14, 2023
• Deposit Date: Nov 2, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 26, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Global Mobility
• Print ISSN: 2049-8799
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 110-124
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-05-2022-0016
• Keywords: foreign working communities; expatriation; bubbles; metaphor; global work; enclave; cultural adaptation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10022505
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JGM-05-2022-0016/full/html