The role of regulatory focus and its influence on the cultural distance – Adjustment relationship for expatriate managers

Abstract

Drawing on data from a sample of 223 expatriate managers across 34 countries, this study adds to the international expatriate management literature by introducing regulatory focus (RF) theory and examining its influence on the cultural distance (CD) – adjustment relationship. In particular, the findings disclose that promotion-focused expatriates appear to manage interaction adjustment better than prevention-focused individuals and the effect of cultural distance on general adjustment is not significant for promotion-focused expats. Practical implications for RF theory and expatriate management practices are gleaned from the study and several avenues are suggested for future research.