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Global HRM

Notes While the focus has predominately been on cross-cultural adjustment, other factors have also
been identified, as depicted in the figure above. The importance of family considerations in
cultural acculturation is also important factor determining the success of the expatriate.

Table 5.1: Factors Contributing to the Success of Expatriates
General Factors Specific Attributes
(Job Factors) (Technical Skills)
General managerial skills Knowledge of HQ and host country operations
Administrative competence
Relational Traits Ability to tolerate ambiguity
Behavioural flexibility
Ability to be non-judgement
Level of cultural empathy and ethnocentrism
Interpersonal skills
Motivational State Belief in the mission
Congruence of assignment with career path
Interpersonal skills
Family Situation Willingness of the spouse to live overseas
Adaptability and supportiveness of spouse
Stability of marriage
Language Skills Host country language ability
Non-verbal communication ability

Factors can be broadly grouped under two heads affecting the success of expatriates, such as;
general factors and specific attributes. General factors deals with the job-related factor while
specific attributes refers to the technical skills and attributes.
Inability to adjust to the foreign culture: This factor has been a consistent reason given for
expatriate failure and has been the subject of considerable interest to researchers. The ‘inability
of the spouse to adjust’ to foreign environment has also been recognised as a significant reason.
Let us understand the model described below.
Expatriation Adjustment Model

In recent years international human resource scholars have developed theoretical models that
help explain the factors involved in effectively adjusting to overseas assignments.
There are two major types of adjustments that an expatriate must make when going on an
overseas assignment. One is the anticipatory adjustment which is carried out before the expatriate
leaves for the assignment. The other is the in-country adjustment which takes place on-site.

Anticipatory adjustment is influenced by several important factors. One individual factor is the
pre-departure training that is provided. Other is the previous experience the expatriate may
have had with the assigned country or similar cultures. These two factors help determine the
accuracy of the expatriate’s expectations.
Once on-site, there are a number of factors that will influence ability to adjust effectively. These
include:
1. His ability to maintain a positive outlook in the face of high pressure, to interact with host
nationals, and to correctly perceive and evaluate the host countries values a norm.

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