The key to successful expatriation lies more in developing appropriate skills than in possessing favorable personality traits? Some evidence.

Does the key to successful expatriation lie more in developing appropriate skills than in possessing favorable personality traits? A recent study by Shaffer and colleagues (2006) indicates that both stable personality traits and more dynamic cross-cultural competencies are important predictors of expatriate success.

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Statement: The key to successful expatriation lies more in developing appropriate skills than in possessing favorable personality traits.

Searching for the qualities of an ideal expatriate has been at the forefront for academics and practitioners for several decades now. Today, the attention in cross-cultural people management has shifted from stable personality traits to dynamic competencies, emphasizing the development of social skills. Does this trend suggest that ‘the ideal expatriate is developed rather than born’?

Differences in expat generations: Fact or fiction?

The existence of generational differences with regard to various aspects of life has been debated for many years. Likewise, in terms of the workforce, it has been common to distinguish between Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. Relating this discussion to the expatriate population, it is interesting to consider whether there are significant differences across expat generations. What do you think?

Highly mobile expatriates don’t attach any sense of home to the different places they travel to? Some evidence.

Whether expatriates do not feel ‘at home’ in the host country and refer to their country of origin as their home can be true for some expats and false for others, as it depends on many factors. However, the notion that expatriates overall lose a feeling of home and become ‘placeless’ needs to be contested.
Take a look at some evidence.

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Statement: Highly mobile expatriates don’t attach any sense of home to the different places they travel to.

Going on an assignment makes an expatriate leave behind most of the belongings; to some extent detaches from personal relationships; and settles into a new culture and society. Adjusting to these changes and converting the new reality into a new home is probably very difficult and time consuming. Hence, do the highly mobile expatriates attach any sense of home to the different places they travel to?

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