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There are problems with assessing expatriate failure by the single measure of premature return. To achieve a wider focus on the issue, the present study conducted semi-structured interviews with four subjects with expatriate experience as well as a survey of 17 subjects, also with suitable experience, on the topic of expatriate success or failure. An inability on the part of the expatriate family to adjust to the foreign environment was the main determinant of expatriate failure. It is argued from the results that recognition on the part of those in charge that there are more appropriate measures of expatriate failure-than simply premature return-may change the way the reasons for expatriate failure are perceived. Given that the reasons for expatriate failure tended to be the same, the role of the home company has increased as a contributor toward expatriate failure. Organizations need to be aware of their role as well as the importance of the spouse and family in managing expatriate assignments effectively.
Introduction
Expatriation is a common practice among U.S.-based multinational corporations (MNCs). However, a number of investigators have demonstrated that there is a high failure rate among expatriates because neither they nor their families are prepared to deal with the level of uncertainty associated with the process. The volume of literature on expatriate management is not surprisingly large, considering the increasing importance of the topic. As the world continues to globalize, firms are required to manage an increasingly diverse workforce with expatriation being just a subset of this challenge (Deresky 2000). As a result, expatriation has been popularly used as means by which information sharing and knowledge transfers can be undertaken (Harzing and Van Ruysseveldt 2003). As this elite group is fundamental to the success of corporations by engaging key positions in offshore business dealings, this has compounded the need for more accurate and applicable information on expatriate management. However, it will be demonstrated that existing literature is failing to provide this. Past literature on expatriate failure in particular, lacks empirical evidence, focuses mainly on the U. S and was conducted some time ago. Arguably, the most significant research conducted on expatriate failure by Tung (1982), was carried out over two decades ago. Although the contribution of this research is important, questions...