This book provides state-of-the art research on expatriate management from a European perspective. Considering issues related to the different phases of expatriation and comprehensive contemporary topics of expatriate management, the chapters present a long overdue holistic approach to the field. Rather than just publishing a counterweight to the predominant North American literature, Expatriate Management includes critical analyses of each chapter written by a number of renowned North American scholars to review and contribute to the trans-Atlantic dialogue.

Selmer and his contributors tackle one of the most challenging topics in international business today: how to manage human resources on a global scale. Drawing upon academic research and practical experience, they cover expatriation and impatriation as a way to internationalize managers; the problems of change, adaptation, adjustment that affect international executives; and the policies that would ensure equitable treatment of third country nationals. A unique, wide-ranging volume without esoteric jargon and abstruse statistical analyses, Expatriate Management offers not only an inventory of challenging new ideas that can be put to practical use today, but also a set of workable policy recommendations for the future.

This volume provides in-depth examinations of a variety of individual, social, and environmental factors that contribute to the success of expatriate employees. Using data from numerous large-scale studies from both the public and private sectors, this volume provides valuable insights into expatriate success with implications for both theoretical understanding and practical management. The authors explore factors that influence employees to pursue expatriation, contribute to expatriate adjustment and satisfaction, and ultimately drive expatriate performance, well-being, and success. The chapters in this book consider the role of sociodemographic characteristics, personality and individual differences, training and preparation, and social and organizational support in contributing to each of these outcomes. Using findings from diverse countries and sectors and data-focused analytic techniques, this volume provides novel insights into factors promoting expatriate success.

A comprehensive overview of the practical implications for organizations that manage international employees, and individuals who are currently or aspiring expatriates.

Focusing on intercultural understanding as the foundation for a successful global business, this invaluable book will guide those managers just entering the field and serve as a quick reference for global human resource veterans.

Expatriation is a big topic, and is getting bigger. Over 200 million people worldwide now live and work in a country other than their country of origin. Tens of billions of dollars are spent annually by organizations that move expatriates around the world. Yet, despite the substantial costs involved, expatriation frequently results in an unsatisfactory return on investment (ROI), with little or no knowledge as to how to improve it. Why is this so? Drawing on more than a decade of expertise, research, and publications in top journals, the authors provide you real solutions to achieve more than a satisfactory ROI from expatriates—with rule number one being: Understand expatriates themselves. This book provides a practical “insider’s” guide that reveals why expatriates seek and accept international assignments; how they feel impacted by new forms of remuneration and other working conditions; how international assignments fit in with their longer-term career aspirations; and what complications arise in terms of their families. Whether you’re a manager or consultant, inside you’ll learn what modern-day global mobility is like (based on the authors’ decade-long study with nearly four hundred expatriates and their managers, as well as over a hundred who were interviewed personally), how it is changing, and why now, more than ever, a hard-nosed ROI approach is necessary.

Providing fresh perspectives on managing expatriates in the changing host country of China, this book investigates expatriate management from a language and identity angle. The authors’ multilingual and multicultural backgrounds allow them to offer a solid view on the best practices towards managing diverse groups of expatriates, including Western, Indian, and ethnic Chinese employees. With carefully considered analysis which incorporates micro and macro perspectives, together with indigenous Chinese and Western viewpoints, this book explores topics that include the importance of the host country language, expatriate adjustment, ethnic identity confirmation, acceptance and identity. The book presents a longitudinal yet contemporary snapshot of the language, culture, and identity realities that multinational corporation subsidiary employees are facing in China in the present decade (2006-2016). It will thus be an invaluable resource for International Management scholars, those involved in HRM and other practitioners, as well as business school lecturers and students with a strong interest in China.