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The role of the feedback environment in expatriate adjustment

Brigitte Armon (People Strategies, Morning Consult, Washington, District of Columbia, USA)
Lisa Steelman (Department of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA)
Sarah Jensen (Department of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA)

Journal of Global Mobility

ISSN: 2049-8799

Article publication date: 26 January 2023

Issue publication date: 26 May 2023

319

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to examine the role of the feedback environment in expatriate adjustment and subsequent performance. Based on newcomer adaptation and sensemaking theories, the authors proposed that the supervisor and coworker feedback environments would serve as informational resources, reducing the ambiguity associated with the expatriate's new setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted with a broad sample of assigned expatriates (N = 95) originating from 33 different countries and currently working in 35 different host countries. Mediation analysis using a bootstrapping methodology was conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The authors found that the supervisor feedback environment and coworker feedback environment were both related to expatriate adjustment through role clarity. The authors also found that the supervisor feedback environment was indirectly related to expatriate job performance and intent to leave the international assignment through both role clarity and adjustment.

Originality/value

This study examines the extent to which the supervisor and coworker feedback environments enable expatriates on an international assignment. Expatriates face challenges that may be ameliorated by constructive feedback practices. The authors discuss how organizations can improve expatriate sensemaking and adjustment through improved feedback practices.

Keywords

Citation

Armon, B., Steelman, L. and Jensen, S. (2023), "The role of the feedback environment in expatriate adjustment", Journal of Global Mobility, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 200-214. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-08-2022-0040

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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