<p>This paper investigates how expatriates experience that their knowledge gained from international assignments is transferred and exploited by the MNC. The results from 93 expatriates from eleven Large Cap companies suggest that knowledge is not exploited trough formal mechanisms. Instead informal mechanisms of knowledge transfer such as networks and own initiatives seem to be a more common way of transferring and exploiting knowledge in the investigated MNCs. The findings indicate that the knowledge that the expatriates that failed their mission abroad gained is not exploited to the same extent as the expatriates that successfully completed their assignments.</p>

<p>In a world where the economies of more countries interact with each other, many companies are depending on produc-tion, sales and R&D outside their national boundaries. In line with this, the performance of expatriates has become crucial. Foreign postings for executives are, however, costly undertak-ings for multinational corporations, especially when they fail. Hence the acculturation of an expatriate to the host country is a highly relevant topic. The research on expatriate accultura-tion to a host country has changed substantially over the past few years. Yet to date, the majority of research has been focus-ing on male expatriates. The purpose of this paper is to exam-ine whether there are any differences between male and female expatriates, and the impact of partner accompaniment on their adjustment to the host country. An exploratory multiple-case study has been made and data has been collected through a survey of the expatriates of three major multinational corpora-tions. Five propositions have been formulated and verified. The contribution of this paper is to illuminate the presumptive differences between male and female expatriation.</p>

In a world where the economies of more countries interact with each other, many companies are depending on produc-tion, sales and R&amp;D outside their national boundaries. In line with this, the performance of expatriates has become crucial. Foreign postings for executives are, however, costly undertak-ings for multinational corporations, especially when they fail. Hence the acculturation of an expatriate to the host country is a highly relevant topic. The research on expatriate accultura-tion to a host country has changed substantially over the past few years. Yet to date, the majority of research has been focus-ing on male expatriates. The purpose of this paper is to exam-ine whether there are any differences between male and female expatriates, and the impact of partner accompaniment on their adjustment to the host country. An exploratory multiple-case study has been made and data has been collected through a survey of the expatriates of three major multinational corpora-tions. Five propositions have been formulated and verified. The contribution of this paper is to illuminate the presumptive differences between male and female expatriation.

This paper investigates how expatriates experience that their knowledge gained from international assignments is transferred and exploited by the MNC. The results from 93 expatriates from eleven Large Cap companies suggest that knowledge is not exploited trough formal mechanisms. Instead informal mechanisms of knowledge transfer such as networks and own initiatives seem to be a more common way of transferring and exploiting knowledge in the investigated MNCs. The findings indicate that the knowledge that the expatriates that failed their mission abroad gained is not exploited to the same extent as the expatriates that successfully completed their assignments.

In Strategic International Human Resource Management (SIHRM), the human resource function is actively involved in the strategic activities of the firm. While the idea holds promise as a useful response to global competition, previous research has provided limited supporting empirical evidence. Specifically, few studies have sought to equate certain outcomes with the degree of SIHRM practiced across various types of international firms. By separating firms into categories such as multidomestic, global, and hybrid, and by classifying SIHRM according to the degree of integration with strategic planning, a clearer picture could emerge as to the relationship between firm and SIHRMtype. To that end, top strategic executives, such as CEOs, and top HRM executives from eighty four U.S. based firms were surveyed regarding their firm type, the degree of SIHRM practiced, and certain outcomes such as amount of expatriate training and expatriate failure. Additionally, financial results were obtained to determine performance of various firms. Results indicated that while many companies choose a highly integrated formof SIHRM, there is no significant relationship between firm type and SIHRMtype. Additionally, there was no association detected between SIHRMtype and expatriate training and expatriate failure. Finally, there was no significant difference infinancialperformance between firms with the most integrated type of SIHRMand firms with less integrated versions. Interestingly, the HRMprofessionals were more likely to equate their firms with the most integrated types of SIHRMthan were other managers. This may mean that the relationship between HRM and strategic planning is often one of perception. A model of the relationships between SIHRM, firm type, HRM activities, and outcomes is proposed, along with suggestions for future research and limitations of the study.

Trenden visar på att expatriates världen över fortsätter att ökas och värderas mer. Ett allmänt problem i hanteringen av expatriates är att de slutar i förtid och att de kan känna sig hindrade av att prestera till sina fulla kapaciteter. Årets resultat i en omfattande undersökning av expatriates världen över, där man mäter hur lyckliga de är, visade på att Sverige är årets förlorare. Syftet med den här studien är att ta reda på vilka sätt det finns för HR-ansvariga att använda, för att sänka risken för expatriate-failures i Sverige. Utifrån syftet formulerades två frågeställningar som undersökningen baserades på, på vilka sätt kan man minska risken för att expatriate-failures ska ske i Sverige och är de etablerade tillvägagångssätten giltiga i Sverige. Metoden bestod av en enkätundersökning som undersökte vad anledningarna för övervägan att sluta i förtid var för expatsen i Sverige samt hur deras besittning av vissa attribut korrelerade till att ha en risk för expatriate-failure. Undersökningen visade på att kulturshockar var huvudanledningen för att expatriate-failures sker i Sverige och att besittning av eftertraktade attribut skulle minska risken för expatriate-failures. Resultatet visade då på att de etablerade tillvägagångssätten är giltiga i Sverige för att minska risken för expatriate-failure. Andra effektiva tillvägagångssätt gavs också som förslag för att motverka frekventa anledningarna som emprin visade på.

Background In a global market where competition is constantly growing, organizations need to staff employees from the home country company in the subsidiaries abroad in order to create a local presence and sustain the international competition which is referred to as expatria-tion. The expatriation process requires lots of planning and training before departure and adaptation when on place and also re-adaptation of oneself when coming back to the home country. Problems that occur during the international assignment might lead to ex-patriate failure which is termination of the assignment prematurely. Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to contribute with an understanding of problems expatriates encounter during their expatriation period and how the expatriation process can be im-proved. Method A qualitative study with in-depth interviews has been carried out. Seven case studies have been conducted with seven expatriates from three different organizations, who have been working in different countries. The personnel who work with the expatriation process have also been interviewed in order to gain a better understanding about how the expatriation process is planned and supported. Conclusion The empirical findings show that the pre-departure training expatriates receive are focused on work related issues, hence cultural awareness training are often neglected. This leads to problems for the expatriates, like for example integration problems, adjustment problems for the expatriate and his/her family members, and not being able to communicate in the local language. Also the support received from the home country company are many times insufficient, and the home country companies rarely provide the expatriates with any form of repatriation program to ease their re-adjustment process. This study shows that many organizations need to improve the different parts of their expatriation process. The organizations should especially focus on developing their pre-departure training to include cultural training for both the expatriate and the spouse, and develop a sufficient repatria-tion program.

<p>Background</p><p>In a global market where competition is constantly growing, organizations need to staff employees from the home country company in the subsidiaries abroad in order to create a local presence and sustain the international competition which is referred to as expatria-tion. The expatriation process requires lots of planning and training before departure and adaptation when on place and also re-adaptation of oneself when coming back to the home country. Problems that occur during the international assignment might lead to ex-patriate failure which is termination of the assignment prematurely.</p><p>Purpose</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to contribute with an understanding of problems expatriates encounter during their expatriation period and how the expatriation process can be im-proved.</p><p>Method</p><p>A qualitative study with in-depth interviews has been carried out. Seven case studies have been conducted with seven expatriates from three different organizations, who have been working in different countries. The personnel who work with the expatriation process have also been interviewed in order to gain a better understanding about how the expatriation process is planned and supported.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The empirical findings show that the pre-departure training expatriates receive are focused on work related issues, hence cultural awareness training are often neglected. This leads to problems for the expatriates, like for example integration problems, adjustment problems for the expatriate and his/her family members, and not being able to communicate in the local language. Also the support received from the home country company are many times insufficient, and the home country companies rarely provide the expatriates with any form of repatriation program to ease their re-adjustment process. This study shows that many organizations need to improve the different parts of their expatriation process. The organizations should especially focus on developing their pre-departure training to include cultural training for both the expatriate and the spouse, and develop a sufficient repatria-tion program.</p>

This study examines the expatriate spouses’ cross-cultural adjustment to the host country. The cross-cultural adjustment experience of the expatriate spouse differs vastly from that of the expatriate. Literature was consulted to understand the cardinal role that the spouse portrays during an expatriate assignment and to highlight the importance of a well-adjusted spouse. This study engaged in qualitative research methodology using five expatriate spouses residing in Rome, Italy. Spouses were from two different countries and represented different age groups. Data collection methods included interviews and a focus group session to gain an in-depth understanding of spouses’ cross-cultural adjustment experiences. Results showed that spouses arriving in the host country experienced a loss of identity. Identity in this study was divided into three categories namely personal, situational and social. Once spouses went through a period of identity reformation they were able to become well-adjusted spouses. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study examines the expatriate spouses’ cross-cultural adjustment to the host country. The cross-cultural adjustment experience of the expatriate spouse differs vastly from that of the expatriate. Literature was consulted to understand the cardinal role that the spouse portrays during an expatriate assignment and to highlight the importance of a well-adjusted spouse. This study engaged in qualitative research methodology using five expatriate spouses residing in Rome, Italy. Spouses were from two different countries and represented different age groups. Data collection methods included interviews and a focus group session to gain an in-depth understanding of spouses’ cross-cultural adjustment experiences. Results showed that spouses arriving in the host country experienced a loss of identity. Identity in this study was divided into three categories namely personal, situational and social. Once spouses went through a period of identity reformation they were able to become well-adjusted spouses. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)