CHAPTER 11 - A PORTABLE LIFE: THE EXPATRIATE SPOUSE

What are some potential disputes between expats and spouses?

- Accusations of insensitivity/understanding - Number one factor in expatriate failure (Rosalyn Tung 1987) = spousal frustration

What is the background of an expatriate spouse (Western country)?

- College graduate - Possibly had an attractive professional career prior to leaving the country

What is a spouses' challenge during foreign assignments?

- Maids usually take care of household chores, making the spouse feel unneeded, bored, etc. - Lack of dual career job opportunities (due to work permits) = lack of practice/use of education

What is the biggest reason for failures for expatriate's?

- Spouse & family member adaptation problem - More visible among American expatriates than their Japanese and European counterparts

Why is the impact of culture shock tougher on family members?

- Spouses and children are the ones who will be in direct contact with the new foreign culture - The expat is usually working in an environment where relative "international culture" exists (i.e. they speak English/French) - The expats' workmate represent an international culture due to their business trips, seminars, or education, which makes the transition easier.

Which expats will have more problems in adaptation?

- Those whose spouses are fresh college grads - Those whose spouses have no or little experience in living with people of other cultures - If the couple don't have any children living with them - If one of the couple left unattended elderly parents (who need extra care) at home

What are some ways to minimize expatriate frustration?

- Training and orientation sessions should include expats, spouses, and children - Highly educated spouses should get an honest orientation (i.e. it may be difficult to find work due to work permits) - Spouses will adapt better if they have special interest in studying the language and cultural value system of the host country

Cultural factor: why are the spouses of American expats more frustrated than Europeans/Japanese?

- US is more individualistic - Foregone income of a graduate in the US is higher than in any advanced economy - The cultural expectation of a spouse to sacrifice his/her career for the good of the expat's success is fairly low

Top 6 reasons why expats fail?

1. Spouses inability to adapt in the host country 2. Family not being able to adapt (children) 3. Not knowing the host country's language 4. Boredom and meaninglessness 5. Separation and lack of support from family 6. Not engaged in a professional job

Double career couples employment based on geographical proximity as a solution?

Could be. It's where you hire a couple and relocate to two different regions/countries to where the couple would commute every month or so at the expense of the company.