Expectations vs. reality of expatriate support activities in the case company X

Abstract

This study researched a case company's support activities to its expatriates before and during international assignments. According to the case company's wishes the focus was on cross-cultural training, mentoring and coaching, and peer support. This study provides the case company with a status report on how they are doing at present and gives development suggestions on how to improve knowledge transfer and decrease expatriate failures.

This project started in April 2012 with a meeting with a company representative. During the summer of 2012, the relevant theory on expatriate management and support activities was collected with an emphasis on three main focus topics mentioned. This study includes insights to these topics by various researchers.

Based on the theory an online survey was distributed to expatriates. The online survey outlined the focus points for the follow-up data collection through narratives. These tools were used to collect data on the case company's expatriates expectations and experiences. Expatriates' thoughts, feelings, and opinions were the target data.

The case company has a set of policies to support its expatriates. These policies mainly handle financial matters. The expatriates expressed that they would like to receive practical support as well. Cross-cultural training is a basic support activity but the case company could work on the content quality. Mentoring and coaching and peer support are not taken advantage of by the case company. Theory supports that there are multiple benefits from mentors, especially in expatriate adjustment and consequently on international assignment success. Peer support in the form of expatriate networks and home and host country connections can form a support network to assist the expatriate throughout the international assignment.