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Closing the gap: Expectations versus reality among repatriates

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  • Stroh, Linda K.
  • Gregersen, Hal B.
  • Black, J. Stewart

Abstract

After working abroad for extended periods, managers returning to their parent companies and communities are more likely to resign and seek outside employment than executives with comparable experience. Based on a sample of 174 repatriates and 92 spouses with five U.S. multinationals, our research indicates that gaps often exist between the expatriates' work and nonwork expectations and the realities of life back home. The need to develop strategies to close these gaps and retain these employees will become even more important as increasing numbers of corporations send managers overseas. Enhancing repatriates' commitment to their parent companies and local work units is a critical first step. This article examines ways for companies to begin this process.

Suggested Citation

  • Stroh, Linda K. & Gregersen, Hal B. & Black, J. Stewart, 1998. "Closing the gap: Expectations versus reality among repatriates," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 111-124, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:33:y:1998:i:2:p:111-124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J Stewart Black, 1988. "Work Role Transitions: A Study of American Expatriate Managers in Japan," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 19(2), pages 277-294, June.
    2. J Stewart Black & Hal B Gregersen, 1991. "The Other Half of the Picture: Antecedents of Spouse Cross-Cultural Adjustment," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 22(3), pages 461-477, September.
    3. Denice Welch, 1994. "Determinants of International Human Resource Management Approaches and Activities: A Suggested Framework," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 139-164, March.
    4. J Stewart Black & Hal B Gregersen, 1991. "When Yankee Comes Home: Factors Related to Expatriate and Spouse Repatriation Adjustment," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 22(4), pages 671-694, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Harvey, Michael G. & Richey, R. Glenn, 2001. "Global supply chain management: The selection of globally competent managers," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 7(2), pages 105-128.
    2. Paik, Yongsun & Sohn, Junghoon Derick, 2004. "Expatriate managers and MNC's ability to control international subsidiaries: the case of Japanese MNCs," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 61-71, February.
    3. Emmanuelle Garbe & Jérémy Vignal, 2014. "La Gestion De La Mobilite Internationale Au Moment Du Retour Et Ses Difficultes : Une Etude Comparative Entre Le Cas Des Fmn Et Des Ong," Post-Print halshs-01108444, HAL.
    4. Muhammad Asif Qureshi & Syed Mir Muhammad Shah & Manzoor Ali Mirani & Hamzo Khan Tagar, 2017. "Towards an Understanding of Expatriate Job Performance: A Conceptual Paper," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(9), pages 320-332, September.
    5. Eugenia Sánchez Vidal, M & Valle, Raquel Sanz & Isabel Barba Aragón, M, 2007. "Antecedents of repatriates' job satisfaction and its influence on turnover intentions: Evidence from Spanish repatriated managers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(12), pages 1272-1281, December.
    6. Ren, Hong & Bolino, Mark C. & Shaffer, Margaret A. & Kraimer, Maria L., 2013. "The influence of job demands and resources on repatriate career satisfaction: A relative deprivation perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 149-159.
    7. Bossard, Annette B. & Peterson, Richard B., 2005. "The repatriate experience as seen by American expatriates," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 9-28, February.
    8. Schmid, Stefan & Wurster, Dennis J., 2017. "International work experience: Is it really accelerating the way to the management board of MNCs?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 991-1008.
    9. Lauring, Jakob & Selmer, Jan, 2010. "The supportive expatriate spouse: An ethnographic study of spouse involvement in expatriate careers," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 59-69, February.
    10. Oluwadare, Sunday Victor, 2019. "Culture Shock and Job Expectations Adjustment among Nigerian Self-Initiated Expatriates in the United Kingdom," International Journal of Human Resource Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 9(1), pages 81-98, December.
    11. Pamela L. Cox & Raihan H. Khan & Kimberly A. Armani, 2013. "Repatriate Adjustment And Turnover: The Role Of Expectations An Perceptions," Review of Business and Finance Studies, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 4(1), pages 1-15.
    12. Rizwan Tahir & Naheed Azhar, 2013. "The Adjustment Process of Female Repatriate Managers in Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) Companies," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 14(1), pages 155-167, February.

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