The theory of met expectations applied to expatriate adjustment: the role of cross-cultural training

This study will test two hypotheses to determine whether the formation of e xpectations (prior to the global assignment) affects expatriates' adjustmen t. This study utilized a sample of seventy-three expatriates who completed questionnaires approximately ten months after arriving in their host countr ies. All the expatriates had pre-departure cross-cultural training, but the training varied in perceived relevance. The expatriates were assigned eith er to countries where their native language was spoken (e.g. Americans in t he UK) or to countries where their native language was not spoken (e.g. Ame ricans in France). The results of the mediated regression analysis suggest that the more tailored and relevant the pre-departure cross-cultural traini ng, the more expectations were either met or positively exceeded. Analyses suggest that both cross-cultural training and the language spoken in the ho st country affect the accuracy of expatriates expectations prior to the ass ignment - and that having accurate expectations, in turn, positively affect s cross-cultural adjustment. The results from this study encourage organiza tions to develop programmes that will ensure their expatriates have realist ic expectations prior to their global assignments (e.g. through tailored cr oss-cultural training).