Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Applied Engineering and Technology Management

First Advisor

Mansour, Bassou El

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between post-arrival performance interventions and the adjustment and performance of North American expatriates working and living in Hong Kong. The focus was on an integrated view of multiple post-arrival performance interventions in order to examine their combined impact. This research provides information to organizations regarding strategies to improve the adjustment and performance of expatriates. A multivariate design was used to describe the dynamics underlying the dimensions of adjustment and performance by indicating which interventions in combination might be more strongly associated with adjustment and performance. A questionnaire comprised of several existing constructs derived from the extant literature was developed and administered to those listed in the 2009/2010 American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong membership directory. The interventions examined were integrated cross-cultural training, mentoring, role ambiguity, spouse and family support, and compensation. Four different multiple regression models were developed. The final general adjustment regression model showed a relationship with spouse and family support and role ambiguity. The final interaction adjustment regression model showed a relationship with role ambiguity, spouse and family support, compensation, and the control variable language fluency. The final work adjustment regression model showed a relationship with integrated cross-cultural training, mentoring, role ambiguity, spouse and family support, and compensation. Lastly, the final performance regression model showed a relationship with integrated cross-cultural training, mentoring, role ambiguity, spouse and family support, compensation, and language fluency. The results suggest the importance of multi-national corporations to consider post-arrival performance interventions in addition to pre-departure interventions. Specifically, two primary areas emerged with high significance. First, reducing role ambiguity has a significant relationship with all three adjustment constructs and performance. Second, the findings lend support to the concept of organizations providing additional support to the spouse and family as a means of increasing adjustment and performance of expatriates.

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