Ups and Downs of the Expatriate Experience? Understanding Work Adjustment Trajectories and Career Outcomes

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zhu, Jing; Wanberg, Connie R.; Harrison, David A.; Diehn, Erica W.
• 署名单位: Hong Kong University of Science & Technology; University of Minnesota System; University of Minnesota Twin Cities; University of Texas System; University of Texas Austin; University of St Thomas Minnesota
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/apl0000073
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 549-568
• 关键词: Expatriate adjustment; CORE SELF-EVALUATIONS; UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION; career instrumentality; job promotion

摘要

We examine changes in work adjustment among 179 expatriates from 3 multinational organizations from predeparture through the first 9 months of a new international assignment. Our 10-wave results challenge classic U-shaped theories of expatriate adjustment (e.g., Torbiorn, 1982). Consistent with uncertainty reduction theory, our results instead suggest that expatriates typically experience a gradual increase in work adjustment over time. Two resources that expatriates bring to their assignments (previous culture-specific work experience and core self-evaluations) moderate the trajectory of work adjustment. Trajectory of adjustment predicts Month 9 career instrumentality and turnover intention, as well as career advancement (job promotion) 1.5 years further. Implications for theory, as well as for changes in expatriate management practices, are discussed.