We illustrated how multi-paradigm research that combines the phenomenological interpretive and the positivist paradigms in sequential studies helps problematize questionable assumptions in international business research. While observing the phenomenological principle of epoché (i.e., suspension of researchers’ pre-conceived categories), we interpreted accounts of their lived experience amongst expatriates working in foreign subsidiaries. A follow-up positivist study further led us to conclude that, unlike Edström and Galbraith's (1977) reasons for an international assignment, expatriates hardly see themselves as headquarters’ control agents, but as dual agents in charge of balancing both headquarters and subsidiary's interests.

我们说明了在顺序研究中结合现象学解释和实证主义范式的多范式研究如何帮助解决国际商业研究中有问题的假设。在观察epoché的现象学原则（即，研究人员先入为主的类别的悬置）的同时，我们解释了他们在外国子公司工作的外籍人士的生活经历。后续的实证主义研究进一步使我们得出结论，与 Edström 和 Galbraith (1977) 提出的国际派遣理由不同，外派人员几乎不将自己视为总部的控制代理人，而是负责平衡总部和子公司利益的双重代理人。