Expatriate's Perceptions of Their Families Experiences of International Assignment

Abstract

Research suggests that accompanying family’s adjustment is linked to expatriate adjustment during an international assignment. However research on international assignments has focused more on expatriates than on all stakeholders whose experiences impact on expatriates’ adjustment outcomes. The study responds to a call for a stakeholder approach to understanding expatriate adjustment by examining expatriates’ perceptions of the adjustment of their spouses and children. Survey data was gathered from 145 expatriates currently on international assignments in China. Ten pilot interviews with expatriates and spouses within the sample population informed the design. The study provides valuable insights into expatriates’ perspectives on the influence of their families’ adjustment on them. Spouses’ adjustment was positively correlated with expatriate and children’s adjustment, the latter suggesting a potential mediation relationship. Children’s adjustment, while positively associated with spouse adjustment, was indirectly correlated with expatriate outcomes. While the number of accompanying children did not impact the expatriate, younger-aged dependent children impacted negatively on expatriates’ adjustment. The study’s major recommendation is to extend current expatriate adjustment frameworks by integrating Stakeholder Salience Theory. The study has meaningful practical implications for organizations. This study highlights the interconnectedness of stakeholders within the expatriate family unit.