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Factors Affecting Expatriate Adjustment
Different factors that influence expatriate adjustment have diverse effects on the facets of
adaptation. The facets include interaction, work, and general adjustment. In particular, the factors
are the following ones:
Individual Factors
Individual factors influence expatriate adjustment from two aspects: previous international
experience and individual characteristics (interpersonal skills and self-efficacy) (Li 19).
Moreover, individual characteristics that lead to expatriate adjustment are managerial or
technical competence, the desire of a person to adjust, open-mindedness, and his or her selfconfidence. In such a way, internal factors motivate expatriate adjustment.
Job-Related Factors
Unfamiliarity, uncontrollability, uncertainty, and unpredictability can be influenced by four
factors: role overload, role conflict, role ambiguity, and role novelty (Li 20). It follows that one’s
preparedness to expatriate adjustment depends on personal factors. Moreover, pre-departure
knowledge, previous works overseas, and role discretion can reduce uncertainty (Li 20). In
addition, there exists a positive relationship between work adjustment and tenure. An individual
can utilize such factors to enhance expatriate adjustment.
Organizational Factors
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Selection mechanisms and criteria influence factors that, in their turn, address the organization’s
needs. If an individual completes an assignment, his or her adjustment will flow easier.
Therefore, previous successfully completed tasks create a positive experience and impact a
person’s attitude toward new environment and requirements.
Non-Work Factors
Researchers have shown that an expatriate’s adjustment can be easily hindered by poor crosscultural adaptation and culture novelty (Li 24). For example, interaction with new colleagues
will introduce their culture to a person. In such a way, an individual has to rely on other factors
mentioned before, apart from non-work ones, to help himself or herself get used to a new
environment.
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Works Cited
Li, Yan. "Expatriate Adjustment and Expatriate Learning." Expatriate Manager’s Adaption and
Knowledge Acquisition: Personal Development in Multi-National Companies in China.
Singapore, Springer, 2016, pp. 7-72.