Although past studies of expatriate adjustment have asked human resource executives their opinions about important antecedents of cross-cultural adjustment (e.g., Tung, 1981, 1988), very few studies have attempted to empirically determine which factors significantly affect cross-cultural adjustment based on data collected from actual expatriate managers. This paper examines the impact of job, personal, and general factors on three facets of cross-cultural adjustment based on data collected from American expatriate managers in Pacific Rim assignments (Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan). The results of the study indicate that different antecedents were related to different facets of cross cultural adjustment. Both research and practical implications of these findings are explored.
ADAMS, T. E., & KOBAYASHI, N.The world of Japanese business. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 1969.
2.
ADLER, N.International dimensions of organizational behavior. Belmont, California: Kent, 1986.
3.
BAKER, J. C., & IVANCEVICH, J. M.The assignment of American executives abroad: Systematic, haphazard, or chaotic?California Management Review, 1971, 13, 39-44.
4.
BLACK, J. S.Workrole transitions: A study of American expatriate managers in Japan. Journal of International Business Studies, 1988, 19, 274-291.
5.
BLACK, J. S., & MENDENHALL, M.Cross-cultural training effectiveness: A review and theoretical framework. Academy of Management Review, 1990, 15, 113-136.
6.
BLACK, J. S., & STEPHENS, G. K.The influence of the spouse on American expatriate adjustment in Pacific Rim overseas assignments. Journal of Management, 1989, 15, 529-544.
7.
BRETT, J. M.The effect of job transfers on employees and their families. In C. L. Cooper and R. Payne (Eds.), Current concerns in occupational stress. New York: Wiley, 1980.
8.
BRETT, J. M.Job transitions and personal and role development. In K. M. Rowland and G. R. Ferris (Eds.), Research in personnel and human resource management. Greenwich, Connecticut: JAI Press, 1984.
9.
COPELAND, L., & GRIGGS, L.Going international. New York: Random House, 1985.
10.
DAWIS, R. V., & LOFQUIST, L. H.A psychological theory of work adjustment. Minneapolis, Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press, 1984.
11.
DAWSON, S., & DICKINSON, D.Conducting international mail surveys: The effect of incentives on response rates within an industrial population. Journal of International Business Studies, 1988 (Fall), 491-496.
12.
DILLMAN, D.Mail and telephone surveys: The total design method. New York: Wiley, 1978.
13.
EARLEY, C.Intercultural training for managers: A comparison of documentary and interpersonal methods. Academy of Management Jounral, 1987, 30, 685-698.
14.
GREGERSEN, H. B.Multiple Commitments at Work and Their Influence on Extra-role Behavior. Paper presented at the Academy of Management Meeting, Washington, D.C., August 1989.
15.
GULLAHORN, J. R., & GULLAHORN, J. E.An extension of the u-curve hypothesis. Journal of Social Ilssues, 1962, 3, 33-47.
16.
HARRIS, P.The unhappy world of the expatriate. International Management, 1979 (July), 49-50.
17.
HAWES, F., & KEALEY, D. J.An empirical study of Canadian technical assistance. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 1981, 5, 239-258.
JOBBER, D., & SAUNDERS, J.An experimental investigation into cross-national mail survey response rates. Journal of International Bussines Studies, 1988 (Fall), 483-489.
20.
JONES, G. R.Socialization tactics, self-efficacy, and newcomers' adjustment to the organization. Academy of Management Journal, 1986, 2, 262-279.
21.
KOBRIN, S.Expatriate reduction and strategic control of American multinational corporations. Human Resource Management, 1988, 27, 63-76.
22.
KOLB, D. A.Experiential learning and the learning styles inventory: A reply to Freeman and Stumpf. Academy of Management Review, 1981, 6, 289-296.
23.
KOLB, D. A., & FRY, R.Toward an applied theory of experiential learning. In C. Cooper (Ed.), Theories of group processes. London: Wiley International, 1971.
24.
KOLB, D. A., & PLOVNICK, M. S.The experiential learning theory of career development. In J. Van Maanen (Ed.), Organization Careers. Chichester: Wiley, 1975.
25.
LAMBERT, S.Processes linking work and family: A critical review and research agenda. Human Relations, 1990, 43(3), 239-257.
26.
LANIER, A. R.Selecting and preparing personnel for overseas transfers. Personnel Journal, 1979, 58, 160-163.
27.
LOUIS, M. R.Surprise and sense making: What newcomers experience in entering unfamiliar organizational settings. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1980, 25, 226-251.
28.
MENDENHALL, M., & ODDOU, G.The dimensions of expatriate acculturation. Academy of Management Review, 1985, 10, 39-47.
29.
MISA, K. F., & FABRICATORE, J. M.Return on investment of overseas personnel. Financial Executive, 1979 (April), 42-46.
30.
NICHOLSON, N.A theory of work role transitions. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1984, 29, 172-191.
31.
NUNNALLY, J. C.Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978.
32.
OBERG, K.Culture shock: Adjustment to new cultural environment. Practical Anthropologist, 1960, 7, 177-182.
33.
PINDER, C. C., & DAS, H.Hidden costs and benefits of employee transfers. Human Resource Planning, 1979, 2, 135-145.
34.
PINDER, C. C., & SCHROEDER, K. G.Time to proficiency following transfers. Academy of Management Journal, 1987, 30, 336-353.
35.
PINDER, C. C., & WALTER, G. A.Personnel transfers and demployee development. In K. M. Rowland and G. R. Ferris (Eds.), Research in personnel and human resource management. Greenwich, Connecticut: JAI Press.
36.
REICHERS, A.A review and conceptualization of organizational commitment. Academy of Management Review, 1985, 10, 465-476.
37.
RIZZO, J. R., HOUSE, R. J., & LIRTZMAN, S. I.Role conflict and ambiguity in complex organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1970, 2, 150-163.
38.
SEWARD, J.Speaking the Japanese business language. European Business, 1975 (Winter), 40-74.
39.
SMITH, P. C., KENDALL, L. M., & HULIN, C. L.The measurement of satisfaction in work and retirement: A strategy for the study of attitudes. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1969.
40.
STEWART, R.A model for understanding managerial jobs and behaviors. Academy of Management Review, 1982, 7, 7-14.
41.
TORBIORN, I.Living abroad. New York: Wiley, 1982.
42.
TUNG, R.Selecting and training of personnel for overseas assignments. Columbia Journal of World Business, 1981, 16, 68-78.
43.
TUNG, R.Career issues in international assignments. Academy of Management Executive, 1988, 2, 241-244.
44.
WANOUS, J. P., & LAWLER, E. E.Measurement and meaning of job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1972, 56, 95-105.
45.
WEISSMAN, D., & FURNHAM, A.The expectations and experiences of a sojourning temporary resident abroad: A preliminary study. Human Relations, 1987, 40(5), 313-326.
