Increasing the skill utilization of expatriates

This article examines the utilization, underutilization, and misutilization of expatriate skills in overseas assignments. Using quantitative data from 268 expatriates from six Fortune 500 multinational corporations, the resea rch first examines expatriates, utilization of eight distinct skills and ho w patterns of skill utilization influence important job attitudes. Then, us ing qualitative data from the expatriates, the research examines the subsid iary-level, corporate-level, and country-level factors which facilitate (or inhibit) skill utilization. The study highlights the idea that effective s ill utilization depends not only on the selection and training of expatriat es themselves, but also upon the level of skill and teamwork among host cou ntry nationals and the quality of support provided by the MNC as a whole. ( C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.