How Workforce Localization Triggers Global Workforce Engagement and Withdrawal

A Dual Pathways of Responses, with Ali Faqihi and Cathy (Ying) Xu.

Highlights

We examine how workforce localization triggers the global workforce dual pathways of engagement and withdrawal using Affective Events Theory (AET) to understand how localization-related emotional events influence global workers’ behavior and attitudes. We propose that positive affective events foster constructive engagement through loyalty and voice behaviors, thereby enhancing mobility dissatisfaction and reducing knowledge hiding. In contrast, negative affective events, such as perceived discrimination and job insecurity, trigger cognitive withdrawal through neglect and silence, resulting in decreased satisfaction and increased knowledge concealment. Our research contributes to the expatriation and knowledge management literature by demonstrating the two ways in which the global workforce affects their own satisfaction and knowledge utilization. We demonstrate how constructive engagement and cognitive withdrawal play mediating roles with positive mediators, such as loyalty and voice, making the global workforce satisfied, while negative mediators, including neglect and silence, make them less likely to share their knowledge. Our research answers the call for deeper investigation into how global workers behave beyond turnover and adjustment, offering organizations real ways to improve support systems and reduce disengagement.

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Faqihi, A., Wechtler, H, & Xu, X. (2026). Dual Pathways of Responses: Understanding How Workforce Localization Triggers Global Workforce Engagement and Withdrawal. Doctoral thesis, Ali Faqihi, University of Newcastle.