PREDICTORS OF EXPATRIATE ADJUSTMENT

Abstract

This study used a sample of 190 expatriates who worked for five multi‐national corporations to test part of a model of adjustment developed by Black, Mendenhall, and Oddou. The model is based on the theory that high levels of uncertainty lead to lower levels of adjustment. The study found that several variables—premove attitudes toward an international move, job satisfaction, role novelty, management's views on the effect of an international assignment on one's career, assurance of a job upon return, the cultural toughness of the host country, and the spouses' adjustment—were significant predictors of the expatriates' general adjustment, showing support for Black, Mendenhall, and Oddou's model. Findings from the study suggest that organizations could have a positive impact on assignment completion and expatriates' adjustment by assessing their organizations' positions and policies related to these variables.

Citation

Stroh, L.K., Dennis, L.E. and Cramer, T.C. (1994), "PREDICTORS OF EXPATRIATE ADJUSTMENT", The International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 176-192. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb028807