Why Do American Construction Professionals Choose to Work Abroad on U.S. Embassy Projects?

This qualitative research study examines some of the motivating factors and personality traits found in American construction professionals who have experience working on United States embassy projects. In response to global terrorism in the 1990s, the United States federal government has entered into a phase of building newer, more secure embassy buildings in several countries across the globe. Construction professionals who choose to work on these projects are faced with a multitude of conditions which would not likely be found in U.S. domestic projects. Twenty construction professionals were interviewed about topics such as motivations to work overseas and personal challenges encountered abroad. Structured, videotaped interviews were used as an investigative research tool. Analysis and conclusions are based upon the interviewees' responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]