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Facilitating expatriate adjustment: The role of advice-seeking from host country nationals

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  • Mahajan, Ashish
  • Toh, Soo Min

Abstract

The expatriation literature consistently suggests that expatriates on assignment require a great deal of support to adjust to their new environment. This study examines the potential of host country national (HCN) coworkers as an important yet often overlooked source of support for expatriates. Analysis of survey data collected from 350 expatriates working in the U.S. indicated that expatriates who sought advice from HCN coworkers reported higher levels of work and interaction adjustment. This study also found that expatriates were more likely to seek advice from HCN coworkers they perceived as being credible and likable. Implications for research and managerial relevance are offered.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahajan, Ashish & Toh, Soo Min, 2014. "Facilitating expatriate adjustment: The role of advice-seeking from host country nationals," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 476-487.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:49:y:2014:i:4:p:476-487
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2013.10.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. Tung, Rosalie L., 2016. "New perspectives on human resource management in a global context," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 142-152.
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    14. Michailova, Snejina & Fee, Anthony & DeNisi, Angelo, 2023. "Research on host-country nationals in multinational enterprises: The last five decades and ways forward," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(1).
    15. Horak, Sven & Yang, Inju, 2016. "Affective networks, informal ties, and the limits of expatriate effectiveness," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 1030-1042.
    16. Sana Mumtaz & Sadia Nadeem, 2022. "Understanding the Integration of Psychological and Socio-cultural Factors in Adjustment of Expatriates: An AUM Process Model," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, February.
    17. Guo, Ying & Rammal, Hussain G. & Benson, John & Zhu, Ying & Dowling, Peter J., 2018. "Interpersonal relations in China: Expatriates’ perspective on the development and use of guanxi," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 455-464.
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    20. Yamao, Sachiko & Yoshikawa, Toru & Choi, Daejeong & Toh, Soo Min, 2020. "When do host country nationals help expatriates? The roles of identification with the multinational enterprise and career development support by the subsidiary," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(3).

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