Analyzing the effectiveness of expatriate pre-departure cross-cultural training in Finland
Pessala, Heli (2012)
Pessala, Heli
HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012112817054
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012112817054
Tiivistelmä
Globalization has resulted in companies engaging more and more into international operations. During recent decades the focus of international growth opportunities has been in emerging economies which share substantial cultural differences with Western companies. The cultural differences can create obstacles in day-to-day business and this requires companies to develop the cultural competencies of their employees.
Especially the expatriates that are chosen for long-term international work assignments must be culturally trained in advance. The pre-departure cross-cultural training (CCT) of expatriates should effectively prepare the employees to encounter cultural differences. However in many cases there is a lack of sufficient pre-departure training in companies. This purpose of this study is to research how to ensure the effectiveness of expatriate pre-departure training offered in companies.
The theories were selected to provide knowledge on the research problem and investi-gative questions. The theoretical framework includes presenting the need for cultural training which is caused by countries’ varying cultural dimensions and expatriate failure. Followed by description of background concepts that have high relevance in cross-cultural knowledge and cultural adjustment. The theory part of the study ends by gathering cross-cultural training methods and content together.
The qualitative research was conducted as a face-to-face interview of an expatriate, spouse and their cross-cultural trainer in Helsinki Metropolitan area in Finland in October 2012. The interviews where semi-structured and included open ended and follow-up questions. The answers were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by using coding method.
The expatriate and spouse experienced the cross-cultural training and support from company positively. The trainer emphasized that training should be individually designed and implemented. The findings give proof for the usefulness and importance of CCT and suggest many development actions for companies to ensure the effectiveness of their CCT program.
Especially the expatriates that are chosen for long-term international work assignments must be culturally trained in advance. The pre-departure cross-cultural training (CCT) of expatriates should effectively prepare the employees to encounter cultural differences. However in many cases there is a lack of sufficient pre-departure training in companies. This purpose of this study is to research how to ensure the effectiveness of expatriate pre-departure training offered in companies.
The theories were selected to provide knowledge on the research problem and investi-gative questions. The theoretical framework includes presenting the need for cultural training which is caused by countries’ varying cultural dimensions and expatriate failure. Followed by description of background concepts that have high relevance in cross-cultural knowledge and cultural adjustment. The theory part of the study ends by gathering cross-cultural training methods and content together.
The qualitative research was conducted as a face-to-face interview of an expatriate, spouse and their cross-cultural trainer in Helsinki Metropolitan area in Finland in October 2012. The interviews where semi-structured and included open ended and follow-up questions. The answers were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by using coding method.
The expatriate and spouse experienced the cross-cultural training and support from company positively. The trainer emphasized that training should be individually designed and implemented. The findings give proof for the usefulness and importance of CCT and suggest many development actions for companies to ensure the effectiveness of their CCT program.