title: Ups and downs of the expatriate experience? Understanding work adjustment trajectories and career outcomes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Management, School of Business and Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Work and Organizations, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.
authors.forename: Connie R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wanberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Management, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.affiliation: Department of Management, Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas.
authors.forename: Erica W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Diehn
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D001315:Australia / Q000208:ethnology; D002170:Canada / Q000208:ethnology; D002322:Career Mobility; D003469:Culture; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013020:South America / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States