The role of the family in expatriation has been a long-standing topic in the field of global mobility. Many different sources highlight that the family has been and continues to be an important factor in expatriation. Indeed, according to the latest Cartus 2014 Global Mobility Policy and Practices survey, family challenges remain the top (61%) […]
Latest Global Mobility Highlights: Decrease in Long-Term Assignments
When talking about expatriation we tend to think primarily about traditional long-term assignments, which are two to three years in duration and imply an employee relocation to the host country. These are the assignments that we readily relate to attractive compensation and benefit packages, career enhancing moves, and profound cross-cultural experiences. However, in spite of […]
Psychological Difficulties of Expatriation: When Inaction is the Best Action
Several of my recent posts emphasized the ‘dark’ sides of expatriation, namely the psychological difficulties of repatriation, loneliness when moving without family, and insecurities when adjusting to life abroad. Whether these are self-doubts, extensive tensions, critical thoughts or negative feelings that arise in challenging situations, we can all agree that such undesirable states are quite […]
The Psychology of Expat Motivation: From Theory to Practice
If we think about the reasons why people engage in different activities, devote their time and effort to these activities, and persist in doing what they do despite various difficulties and challenges, one central concept that comes to mind is motivation. Indeed, motivation can be seen as a ‘push-button’ that elicits, controls and directs behavior. […]
‘Working Retirees’ Abroad: Another Facet of Expat Life
Moving abroad after retirement in pursuit of cheaper living expenses, enjoyable climate, and a relaxed lifestyle is nothing new. However, a recent NYTimes article argues that the trend of relocating abroad for work after retirement is gaining appeal. Also echoed by another NYTimes article, it is noted that more American retirees are choosing to take […]
Trailing Spouses: In Need of Organizational Support
The topic of international assignments is rarely discussed without mentioning issues of the accompanying partners, or so-called trailing spouses. According to different industry surveys (e.g. Brookfield, 2012; Cartus, 2012) the adjustment problems and dissatisfaction of spouses/partners, as well as dual-career issues, top the lists of expatriation challenges, and quite often become reasons for refusing an […]
What Are the Implications of Being Compelled to Expatriate?
In today’s business environment, globality is a term referring to modernity, opportunities, prosperity, and is almost a necessity when speaking about market competitiveness. Hence, organizations and recruitment agencies alike are looking for globally minded people, and highly value and promote international experience. Moreover, sooner than later career paths that entail various international assignments will be […]
Accompanying Partners on Expatriation: The Male Perspective
Traditional gender roles imply a scenario in which the male partner is employed and fulfills the task of a breadwinner in the family, while the female is in charge of raising kids and upholding the household. Although female work empowerment made their traditional role description quite faded today, the role attitudes and expectations of many people towards the male role have not changed much. The recent study by Nina Cole (2012) looks into the ‘unique’ role of males as expatriate accompanying partners.
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.
Latest expatriate stats: The List Topping countries
Recently, Brookfield Global Relocation Services released their 17th Global Relocation Trends Survey report, which gives a comprehensive overview of current trends, challenges and solutions in the world of global mobility. Take a look at the latest capture of top countries for current expatriate destinations, emerging destinations, as well as challenging destinations for both, international assignees and program managers.
A new perspective on mobility professionals: The role of risk management
From a company’s perspective, the relocation of an employee to another country for a longer period of time sounds quite manageable. However, operating globally and moving multiple employees to different destinations for different time periods becomes a much more complex matter. This complexity is reflected in an ever increasing number of service providers that give rise to a new breed of service professional called mobility professionals.
Expatriation and doing business abroad
When considering top destinations for expatriation, several surveys and rankings point to factors such as attractiveness of lifestyle, weather conditions, cost of living , and etc. However, in addition to these conditions the business environment of the foreign country is also playing a crucial role, especially for self-initiated expats who move on their own accounts to do business abroad.
Does the accompanying partner have a negative or a positive impact on the expatriate’s own experience?
About 80% of expatriates are accompanied by their partners during the assignment. Usually partners give up their jobs and go through their own relocation challenges, which naturally inlfuence also the assignee. However, despite these ‘extra’ problems for the expatriate him/herself, the majority still prefers to relocate with their partner. Why so?
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?
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 […]
Statement: Starting an expatriate assignment requires more company support than repatriation
Company support at the outset of the assignment is much more important than when completing the assignment and returning home.
Fact or Fiction?
Have a look at the evidence..