Houses on Wheels: National Attachment, Belonging, and Cosmopolitanism in Narratives of Transnational Professionals

Abstract

This article contributes to discussions on the relationship between national attachments and cosmopolitanization by unpacking the meanings of national attachments and post‐national identifications in the case of transnational professionals, focusing on narratives of professionals embedded in transnational business networks in two locations; Istanbul and New York City. Using in‐depth interviews, the article argues that in the case of transnational professionals one can talk about ‘rooted’ cosmopolitanism in two senses: first, underlining the continuing role of national attachments as roots; and second, pointing to a process in which the post‐national identity is derived from specific experiences in multiple locations, grounding the respondents in their fluid lives. It is through mobility that the respondents develop a sense of belonging – not in spite of it.

Modalities of cosmopolitanism and mobility: parental education strategies of global, immigrant and local middle-class Israelis

“…Similarly, the school choices of middle class migrants have been closely researched in numerous global locations (see Ryan & Mulholland, 2014, for instance). Meanwhile, the concept of the globally mobile professional (Erkmen, 2015;Beaverstock, 2018) and global middle class(es) (Ball & Nikita, 2014;Yemini & Maxwell, 2018b) has been theoretically introduced, but much less empirically investigated.…”

Transnational Cultural Belonging of Bangladeshi Migrants in South Korea

“…Belonging beyond transnational ties, migrants wish to extend their interests in the roots, the places and people in their home land. It is an emotional attachment and loyalty in narratives about their feelings towards their home countries and their places of residence (Erkmen, 2015). The common form of expression of the sense of belonging of migrants to homeland that is based on personal and particular connections.…”

Stepping into the global: Turkish professionals, employment in transnational corporations, and aspiration to transnational forms of cultural capital

“…The definition of the word 'globally competent' which gained cachet in business, government, and human resource vernacular (Hunter et al, 2006) fits well with the definition of 'cosmopolitan,' stressing the ability to get a job done in a new environment while being open to cultural norms and expectations. To be adaptable and flexible, to be open to differences as well as to opportunities, and to be mobile and be able to 'live anywhere,' while sources of pride as part of a cosmopolitan identification of expatriate professionals (Erkmen, 2015) are also specifically what professionals need in order to be marketable and successful in a global market. Where global companies are looking for professionals who are 'globally competent,' a cosmopolitan self-identification and presentation, and as such the experience of mobility articulated as competence, are also cultural capital that affirm that professionals can function and be successful in various environments.…”

“…However, within this specific social and historical context -the transnational business network at this stage of capitalism -mobility becomes an important experience and marker as it enables access to certain experiences and skills which nurture the self-confidence of professionals in narrating themselves as cosmopolitan: 'I can work and live anywhere.' This narrative is strengthened -becomes embodied -by the experience of global mobility, and the 'ability to live anywhere' and 'having links to various parts of the world' become the most important tropes among highly skilled expatriates' self-identification as cosmopolitan (Erkmen, 2015).…”