Pre‐departure training for international business managers

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effective use of pre‐departure training, the various types of such training available and the ensuing benefits to the company, the international managers themselves and their families. It highlights a number of future trends in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The various types of pre‐departure training are considered with their advantages, and the need for sufficient time, analysis of training needs and appropriate training resources for such training to be effective. Areas covered include cross‐cultural awareness, communication skills, specific country/regional briefing, business procedures, international negotiating skills, building and sustaining multinational teams, language training, transfer of skills and knowledge and repatriation.

Findings

There is still a relative lack of pre‐departure training for international managers, although the benefits are now more widely accepted. Future trends indicate that the increase in globalisation will make such training all the more important in attempting to gain competitive advantage and retain key and experienced staff.

Originality/value

Pre‐departure training for international managers covering their destination country/region will assist them and their families to live and work more harmoniously and effectively in their new environment.

Citation

Hurn, B.J. (2007), "Pre‐departure training for international business managers", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 39 No. 1, pp. 9-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197850710721354