Career Choices: Exploring the Rationale Underlying Military Migrants' Enlistment in the British Armed Forces

Article


Adeoti, A., Mordi, C. and Adisa, T. 2024. Career Choices: Exploring the Rationale Underlying Military Migrants' Enlistment in the British Armed Forces. Career Development International. p. In Press.
AuthorsAdeoti, A., Mordi, C. and Adisa, T.
Abstract

Purpose – Using ‘on justification’ theory, this article explores the rationality and justification of the West-African military migrants for joining the British Armed Forces.
Design/methodology/approach – We utilise an interpretive qualitative research methodology in this study. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 42 military migrants who joined the British Armed Forces between 1998 and 2013.
Findings – We identify various factors that influenced the participants’ decision to join the British Armed Forces, such as individual aspirations, the need to find a ‘path’ at a crossroad in life (e.g. a career dilemma or the loss of a parent), economic opportunities, and institutional incentives. Military migrants’ career motivations are shaped by their deep affection for the Crown and their desire to give back to the country with which they share a colonial history.
Practical implications – The UK’s Ministry of Defence, government, and policymakers could gain valuable insights from this study. The findings could significantly shape their recruitment and retention policies, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the military profession. This could be a crucial step in addressing the recruitment challenges and personnel deficit currently faced by the British Armed Forces.
Originality/value – This study provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of the military service of foreign-born veterans. The article focuses on underrepresented group (West-African military migrants) to enhance our understanding of their career motivations in the British Armed Forces. We identify and categorise the motivations and justifications for military migrants’ enlistment in the British Armed Forces according to seven justifications, each depicting a career pattern informing the participants’ motivations and justifications for their
enlistment.

JournalCareer Development International
Journal citationp. In Press
ISSN1362-0436
Year2024
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Repository staff only
Publication process dates
Accepted31 Oct 2024
Deposited07 Nov 2024
Copyright holder© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Additional information

This author accepted manuscript is deposited under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC) licence. This means that anyone may distribute, adapt, and build upon the work for non-commercial purposes, subject to full attribution. If you wish to use this manuscript for commercial purposes, please contact permissions@emerald.com.

Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8y900

  • 40
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 8
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Managing and Resourcing Nigerian banks’ diasporic operations in the UK: An empirical study
Sani, K. F., Harrison, M. and Adisa, T. A. 2024. Managing and Resourcing Nigerian banks’ diasporic operations in the UK: An empirical study. Journal of General Management. p. In Press. https://doi.org/10.1177/03063070241305729
Seen but not heard: the voice of women at work and the mediating role of culture
Adisa, T. A., Ogbonnaya, C., Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. and Adekoya, O. D. 2024. Seen but not heard: the voice of women at work and the mediating role of culture. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. p. In Press. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.2421345
The Challenges of Employee Wellbeing in Nigeria: The Impact of Digital Integration and Culture of Servant–Master Work Relationships
Oruh, E. S., Adisa, T. A., Egwuonwu, A., Nwosu, C. E. and Egwuonwu, A. 2024. The Challenges of Employee Wellbeing in Nigeria: The Impact of Digital Integration and Culture of Servant–Master Work Relationships. in: Oruh, E. S. and Adisa, T. A. (ed.) Employee Wellbeing in the Global South: A Critical Overview Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 95-120
’In the Grip of Traditionalism? How Nigerian Middle-Class Working Mothers Navigate Normative Ideals of Femininity
Adekoya, O. D., Adamson, M., Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. and Adisa, T. A. 2024. ’In the Grip of Traditionalism? How Nigerian Middle-Class Working Mothers Navigate Normative Ideals of Femininity. Gender & Society. In Press.
The Clout of Digitalisation and Work-Life Balance
Adisa, T. A., Adekoya, O. D., Sani, K. F. and Aiyenitaju, O. 2024. The Clout of Digitalisation and Work-Life Balance. in: Adisa, T. A. (ed.) HRM 5.0: Unpacking the Digitalisation of Human Resource Management Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 141-165
Technology and Human Resource Management
Adisa, T. A., Ogbonnaya, C. and Courtney, R. 2024. Technology and Human Resource Management. in: Adisa, T. A. (ed.) HRM 5.0: Unpacking the Digitalisation of Human Resource Management Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 11-33
A balanced work-life relationship helps boost employee performance
Adisa, T. A. and Chang, K. 2024. A balanced work-life relationship helps boost employee performance. Human Resources Management and Services. 6 (2), p. 3460. https://doi.org/10.18282/hrms.vxix.3460
Work-Life Balance: Does Leadership Matter?
Sani, K. and Adisa, T. A. 2024. Work-Life Balance: Does Leadership Matter? Employee Relations. 46 (2), pp. 269-286. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-03-2023-0145
Aesthetic Labour Outcome and Experience of Individuals with Tribal Marks in Nigeria
Adisa, T. A., Nickson, D., Ogbonnaya, C. and Mordi, C. 2024. Aesthetic Labour Outcome and Experience of Individuals with Tribal Marks in Nigeria. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 35 (3), pp. 425-453. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2023.2243209
International HRM Practices in Africa: The Implications of Chinese Firms Operating in Africa
Ajonbadi, H. A., Adekoya, O. D., Mordi, C., Adisa, T. A., Awodun, M. and Kamaluddeen-Aiyelabegan, H. 2023. International HRM Practices in Africa: The Implications of Chinese Firms Operating in Africa. in: Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. A., Adekoya, O. D. and Adisa, T. A. (ed.) Managing Human Resources in Africa: A Critical Approach Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. pp. 297-320
Challenges of Adopting and Implementing Green Human Resource Management Practice: The Perspectives of Organisational Culture and Political Commitment in Nigeria
Adekoya, O. D., Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. A. and Adisa, T. A. 2023. Challenges of Adopting and Implementing Green Human Resource Management Practice: The Perspectives of Organisational Culture and Political Commitment in Nigeria. in: Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. A., Adekoya, O. D. and Adisa, T. A. (ed.) Managing Human Resources in Africa: A Critical Approach Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. pp. 253-276
Work-Life Balance Among Medical Doctors in Public Hospitals in Algeria
Mordi, C., Ghoul, M., Adekoya, O. and Ajonbadi, H. A. 2023. Work-Life Balance Among Medical Doctors in Public Hospitals in Algeria. in: Mordi, C., Ajonbadi, H. A., Adekoya, O. D. and Adisa, T. A. (ed.) Managing Human Resources in Africa: A Critical Approach Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. pp. 105-132
The Conceptualisation of Employee Voice in Permacrisis: A United Kingdom Perspective
Oyelere, M., Olowookere, K., Oyelere, T., Opute, J. and Adisa, T. A. 2023. The Conceptualisation of Employee Voice in Permacrisis: A United Kingdom Perspective. in: Adisa, T. A., Mordi, C. and Oruh, E. (ed.) Employee Voice in the Global North: Insights from Europe, North America and Australia Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. pp. 9–34
Keep Quiet: Unheard Voices of Domestic Workers in Nigeria
Adisa, T. A., Mordi, C., Oruh, E. S. and Mordi, T. 2023. Keep Quiet: Unheard Voices of Domestic Workers in Nigeria. in: Adisa, T. A., Mordi, C. and Oruh, E. S. (ed.) Employee Voice in the Global South: Insights from Asia, Africa and South America Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. pp. 11–41
The Entrepreneurial University: Traditional and Contemporary Roles of the University
Sani, K. F., Abdulraheem, I. and Adisa, T. A. 2023. The Entrepreneurial University: Traditional and Contemporary Roles of the University. in: Abdulraheem, I. and Adisa, T. A. (ed.) Academic Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: A Book of Reading Nigeria University of Abuja Press. pp. 167-198
University Spinoffs and Technology Commercialisation
Abdulraheem, I., Adisa, T. A. and Sani, K. F. 2023. University Spinoffs and Technology Commercialisation. in: Academic Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: A Book of Reading Nigeria University of Abuja Press. pp. 45-70
Academic Entrepreneurship: Promoting Economic and Societal Developments
Adisa, T. A., Adekoya, O. D., Abdulraheem, I. and Sani, K. F. 2023. Academic Entrepreneurship: Promoting Economic and Societal Developments. in: Adisa, T. and Abdulraheem, I. (ed.) Academic Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: A Book of Reading Nigeria University of Abuja Press. pp. 113-140
A Comparative Study of the Work-Life Balance Experiences and Coping Mechanisms of the Nigerian and British Single Student-Working Mothers
Mordi, T., Adisa, T., Adekoya, O. D., Sani, K. F., Mordi, C. and Akhtar, M. 2023. A Comparative Study of the Work-Life Balance Experiences and Coping Mechanisms of the Nigerian and British Single Student-Working Mothers. Career Development International. 28 (2), pp. 217-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-10-2022-0280
Employment Discrimination against Indigenous People with Tribal Marks in Nigeria: The Painful face of Stigma
Adisa, T., Mordi, C. and Timming, A. 2023. Employment Discrimination against Indigenous People with Tribal Marks in Nigeria: The Painful face of Stigma. Work, Employment and Society. 38 (3), pp. 787-808. https://doi.org/10.1177/09500170231173591
Digital Onboarding and Employee Outcomes: Empirical Evidence from the UK
Sani, K. F., Adisa, T. A., Adekoya, O. D. and Oruh, E. 2023. Digital Onboarding and Employee Outcomes: Empirical Evidence from the UK. Management Decision. 61 (3), pp. 637-654. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-11-2021-1528
Enactors or reactors? Work-life border management for women in law in Nigeria
Beauregard, T. A. and Adisa, T. A. 2023. Enactors or reactors? Work-life border management for women in law in Nigeria. Community, Work and Family. 26 (1), pp. 58-75. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2021.1968796
The National Student Survey and the ‘Customerization’ of University Students: A Qualitative Study of UK Higher Education
Adisa, T. A., Harrison, M., Sani, K. F., Mingazova, D. and Kypuram, J. 2022. The National Student Survey and the ‘Customerization’ of University Students: A Qualitative Study of UK Higher Education. Higher Education. 86, p. 449–466. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-022-00943-4
Exploring the Impact of Covid-19 on Employees' Boundary Management and Work-Life Balance
Adisa, T. A., Antonacopoulou, E., Beauregard, T. A., Dickmann, M. and Adekoya, O. D. 2022. Exploring the Impact of Covid-19 on Employees' Boundary Management and Work-Life Balance. British Journal of Management. 33 (4), pp. 1694-1709. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12643
Introduction: Context Matters in Human Resource Management
Adisa, T., Mordi, C. and Gbadamosi, G. 2022. Introduction: Context Matters in Human Resource Management. in: Adisa, T. and Mordi, C. (ed.) HRM In the Global South : A Critical Perspective Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 3-14
Human Resource Management in Nigeria: A Review and Conceptual Model
Gbadamosi, G. and Adisa, T. 2022. Human Resource Management in Nigeria: A Review and Conceptual Model. in: Adisa, T. and Mordi, C. (ed.) HRM in the Global South: A Critical Perspective Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 17-52
The Acceptance and Practicality of Digital HRM in Nigeria
Adisa, T., Adekoya, O.D., Abdulraheem, I. and Mordi, C. 2022. The Acceptance and Practicality of Digital HRM in Nigeria. in: Adisa, T. and Mordi, C. (ed.) HRM in the Global South: A Critical Perspective Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 347–370
Going Forward: Remote Working in the Post-COVID-19 Era
Adekoya, O. D., Adisa, T. A. and Aiyenitaju, O. 2022. Going Forward: Remote Working in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Employee Relations. 44 (6), pp. 1410-1427. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-04-2021-0161
Gender Apartheid: The Challenges of Breaking into ‘Man’s World’
Adisa, T. A., Gbadamosi, G. and Adekoya, O. D. 2021. Gender Apartheid: The Challenges of Breaking into ‘Man’s World’. Gender, Work and Organization. 28 (6), pp. 2216-2234. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12736
Remote working and employee engagement: A qualitative study of British workers during the pandemic
Adisa, T., Ogbonnaya, C. and Adekoya, O. D. 2021. Remote working and employee engagement: A qualitative study of British workers during the pandemic. Information Technology and People. 36 (5), pp. 1835-1850. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-12-2020-0850
Introduction
Gbadamosi, G. and Adisa, T. 2021. Introduction. in: Adisa, T. A. and Gbadamosi, G. (ed.) Work-Life Interface: Non-Western Perspectives Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 3-23
The Myth and the Reality of Work-Life Balance in Nigeria
Adisa, T. A., Gbadamosi, G. and Adekoya, O. D. 2021. The Myth and the Reality of Work-Life Balance in Nigeria. in: Adisa, T. A. and Gbadamosi, G. (ed.) Work-Life Interface: Non-Western Perspectives Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 127-153
Work-Life Border Control Model: A Re-think of Border Theory
Adisa, T. A. and Gbadamosi, G. 2021. Work-Life Border Control Model: A Re-think of Border Theory. in: Adisa, T. A. and Gbadamosi, G. (ed.) Work-Life Interface: Non-Western Perspectives Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 25-53
Stigma Hurts: Exploring Employer and Employee Perceptions of Tattoos and Body Piercings in Nigeria
Adisa, T., Adekoya, O. and Sani, K. 2021. Stigma Hurts: Exploring Employer and Employee Perceptions of Tattoos and Body Piercings in Nigeria. Career Development International. 26 (2), pp. 217-237. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-09-2020-0239
Modern-Day Slavery? The Work-Life Conflict of Domestic Workers in Nigeria
Adisa, T. A., Adekoya, O. D. and Okoya, O. 2021. Modern-Day Slavery? The Work-Life Conflict of Domestic Workers in Nigeria. Gender In Management: an International Journal. 36 (4), pp. 519-535. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-02-2020-0054
Freedom and Flexibility: The Work-Family Balance of Single Female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
Adisa, T. A., Mordi, C. and Akanji, B. 2021. Freedom and Flexibility: The Work-Family Balance of Single Female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Employee Relations. 43 (5), pp. 1232-1249. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-07-2020-0332
The Work-Family Balance of British Working Women During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Adisa, T., Aiyenitaju, O. and Adekoya, D. 2021. The Work-Family Balance of British Working Women During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of Work-Applied Management. 13 (2), pp. 241-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWAM-07-2020-0036
Social Dominance, Hyper-Masculinity and Career Barriers In Nigeria
Adisa, T., Mordi, C., Simpson, R. and Iwowo, V. 2020. Social Dominance, Hyper-Masculinity and Career Barriers In Nigeria. Gender, Work and Organization. 28 (1), pp. 175-194. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12537
A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Link Between Professional Culture and Organisational Culture
Adisa, T., Oruh, E. and Akanji, B. 2020. A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Link Between Professional Culture and Organisational Culture. Employee Relations. 42 (3), pp. 698-716. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-08-2019-0344
Time Biases: Exploring the Work-Life Balance of Single Nigeria Managers and Professionals
Babatunde, A., Mordi, C., Simpson, R., Adisa, T. and Oruh, E. 2020. Time Biases: Exploring the Work-Life Balance of Single Nigeria Managers and Professionals. Journal of Managerial Psychology. 35 (2), pp. 57-70. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-12-2018-0537
Mind Your Attitude: The Impact of Patriarchy on Women’s Workplace Behaviour
Adisa, T., Cooke, F. L. and Iwowo, V. 2019. Mind Your Attitude: The Impact of Patriarchy on Women’s Workplace Behaviour. Career Development International. 25 (2), pp. 146-164. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-07-2019-0183
The Influence of Organisational Culture on Leadership Style in Higher Education Institutions
Akanji, B., Mordi, C., Ituma, A., Adisa, T. and Ajonbadi, H. 2019. The Influence of Organisational Culture on Leadership Style in Higher Education Institutions. Personnel Review. 49 (3), pp. 709-732. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-08-2018-0280
Understanding the Trajectory of the Academic Progress of International Student In the UK
Adisa, T. A., Baderin, M., Gbadamosi, G. and Mordi, C. 2019. Understanding the Trajectory of the Academic Progress of International Student In the UK. Education and Training. 61 (9), pp. 1100-1122. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-08-2018-0177
Patriarchal Hegemony: Investigating the Impact of Patriarchy on Women’s Work-Life Balance
Adisa, T., Abdulraheem, I. and Isiaka, S. B. 2019. Patriarchal Hegemony: Investigating the Impact of Patriarchy on Women’s Work-Life Balance. Gender In Management: an International Journal. 34 (1), pp. 19-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-07-2018-0095
In Search of Perfect Boundaries? Entrepreneurs’ Work-Life Balance
Adisa, T., Gbadamosi, A., Mordi, T. and Mordi, C. 2019. In Search of Perfect Boundaries? Entrepreneurs’ Work-Life Balance. Personnel Review. 48 (6), pp. 1634-1651. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-06-2018-0197
Managing Diversity in Nigeria: Competing Logics of Workplace Diversity
Adeleye, Ifedapo, Fawehinmi, Abayomi, Adisa, T., Utam, Kingsley and Ikechukwu-Ifudu, Vivian 2019. Managing Diversity in Nigeria: Competing Logics of Workplace Diversity. in: Georgiadou, Andri, Gonzalez-Perez, Maria Alejandra and Olivas-Lujan, Miguel R. (ed.) Diversity within Diversity Management: Country-Based Perspectives Emerald Publishing Limited.
Regional Crises and Corruption: The Eclipse of the Quality of Working Life in Nigeria
Adisa, T. and Gbadamosi, G. 2018. Regional Crises and Corruption: The Eclipse of the Quality of Working Life in Nigeria. Employee Relations. 41 (3), pp. 571-591. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-02-2018-0043