Having just returned from our annual family skiing trip I have been reminded of how important it is to conserve and restore your energy resources. A few consecutive, full days of skiing can easily sap your physical energy. But we all know that our mental energy is a finite resource as well. And sometimes it […]
Expatriation close-up – Calling things by their right names
Expatriation is a broad term referring to a whole range of work experiences abroad. However, at closer inspection there are many different forms and classifications of expatriation.
The value of inpatriates: Some managerial implications from my recent study
When we speak of international assignees and their value, we tend to think about an expatriate employee moving from headquarters (HQ) to one of the company’s subsidiaries. A key purpose of this expatriation is the sharing of knowledge and connecting HQ to its subsidiaries. However, the role of connectors can be fulfilled not only by HQ staff transferred to a subsidiary, but also in the other direction.Thus, contrary to the term ‘expatriate’, an inpatriate is an employee that is transferred from a foreign subsidiary to the HQ.
Friendships abroad: stretch for the difference or find comfort in being alike?
Building relationships and making new friends is an inevitable part of building your positive expatriate experience. Having friendship ties with other expatriates or local people have both their pros and cons. Entering expat enclaves makes you feel understood but integrating into the local community is culturally more rewarding, though more difficult as well. So, what would you do, stretch for the difference or find comfort in being alike?
Relocation stats: expatriate destinations
Have a look at what are the most frequently selected and what are the most challenging expatriate destinations.
Living abroad makes you more creative? Some evidence.
The statement that living abroad makes you more creative is a fact. Being abroad does not make you create an artwork masterpiece, but under certain conditions, such as living, not just traveling abroad, and thorough integration into the local lifestyle and community, it may increase your creative performance and creative thinking within everyday life situations.
Statement: Living abroad makes you more creative.
Moving abroad is a life-changing experience. In a foreign country people face new challenges, get introduced to a new culture, meet new people and, most importantly, learn. This is a time for new ideas, thoughts and approaches, and therefore we would assume that living abroad makes you more creative.
Fact or Fiction? Have a look at some evidence.
Social media create another form of expatriate – a virtual one
As my previous blog entry focused on the role of social media in expatriates’ personal life, now it is time to take a look at this from the professional side. Not only do communication technologies ease expat blues while living away from family and friends, they enable a new way, a virtual way, of organizing an international assignment.
Social media help to ease “Expat Blues”
The recent 2010 Expat Explorer Survey reports that for expatriates emotional worries cause much greater concerns than practical issues. More specifically, the survey results indicate that re-establishing a social life (41%) as well as feeling lonely and missing friends and family (34%) are topping the list of the most common expat concerns.
What is an ´average´ expat?
What is an ´average´ expat?
Take a look at the interesting data based on the 2010 Brookfield Global Relocation Survey results.
Why do international assignees stay? – Findings from a recent study
The retention of expatriates and repatriates has been and continues to be a major concern for multinational companies. However, so far the focus of researchers and managers alike has been to understand why international assignees leave the organization. In my latest study in collaboration with Maria Kraimer and Anne-Wil Harzing (2011) we decided to take a look at the retention concern from a different angle and explicitly investigate what makes international assignees stay.
Statement: Previous international experience facilitates an expatriate’s adjustment to a new country.
Previous international experience facilitates an expatriate’s adjustment to a new country.
Fact or Fiction?
Please see the evidence…
Why would you go abroad? Professional vs. personal reasons to accept an expatriate assignment
Clearly, being an expat involves a number of important stressors in life, such as moving between countries, starting a new job or project, adjusting to a new culture, and having to build new relationships. Why is it worthwhile to tolerate these challenges?
They have many names, and expatriate is but one of them!
They have many names, and expatriate is but one of them!
Getting the right people: Soft vs. hard skills. Which matter more for going abroad?
The debate about soft skills versus hard skills is not new in people management. These soft skills are usually differentiated from more technical skills, specialized knowledge and proficiency (also called hard skills), which traditionally have been the main focus of recruiters. However, which types of skills are more important for international assignments?
Statement: Men are taking more international assignments than women
The gender distribution in the population of international assignees is not equal, with men taking a larger share of assignments than women. Fact or Fiction?
Have a look at the evidence.
Current Trends: Family concerns remain the hot topic in expatriation
When looking at the hot topics and key challenges in expatriation, it seems that family-related issues continue to top the list. The 2010 Brookfield Global Relocation Trends Survey results indicate that, similar to previous years, multinationals view family adjustment, children’s education and partner resistance as the most important expatriation challenges. Companies also state that family […]
