SIGNIFIKASI STRUKTUR SOSIAL KELUARGA DAN HUBUNGAN PERSAHABATAN DALAM MEMPENGARUHI PENGALAMAN EKSPATRIASI AHLI AKADEMIK UNIVERSITI AWAM MALAYSIA

Abstract

The identification of family structure and friendship relations is vital in influencing the expatriate’s experience. A family is defined as a group of individuals who have a family bond through marriage or descent who live together in a life led by a family leader and made up of living spouses, children and immediate family. While friendly relationships refer to good social networks with local employees in creating a conducive environment at work. This study examines the experience of expatriates on their own initiative in pursuing expatiations with family influence and supportive friendships. The question raised is whether expatriates who face less conflict between work and life tend to bring positive aspects of daily life born of a stable family system to work. The choice of case study as the design of the study is to deepen the occurrence of events related to the interaction of the environment of a social unit consisting of individuals, groups, organizations or local communities. The research was carried out by qualifying in-depth qualitative interviews with 30 expatriate academics selected from four Malaysian public universities. Family members' interpretations of the meaning of their experiences of expatriate experience give expatriates a right to remain in their host country. While the moral support of the friendship provides a positive indication of the performance exhibited by the expatriates in the context of their work during their international assignments.