The outcomes of cross-cultural adjustment: A case of british expatriates working on international architectural, engineering and construction assignments

A. Konanahalli, L. O. Oyedele, J. Spillane, M. Marinelli

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to investigate the consequences of cross-cultural adjustment in an under researched sample of British expatriates working on International Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) assignments. Adjustment is the primary outcome of an expatriate assignment. According to Bhaskar-Srinivas et al., (2005), Harrison et al., (2004) it is viewed to affect other work related outcomes which could eventually predict expatriate success. To address the scarcity of literature on expatriate management in the AEC sector, an exploratory design was adopted. Phase one is characterised by extensive review of extant literature, whereas phase two was qualitative exploration from British expatriates' perspective; here seven unstructured interviews were carried out. Further, cognitive mapping analysis through Banaxia decision explorer software was conducted to develop a theoretical framework and propose various hypotheses. The findings imply that British AEC firms could sustain their already established competitive advantage in the global marketplace by acknowledging the complexity of international assignments, prioritising expatriate management and offering a well-rounded support to facilitate expatriate adjustment and ultimately achieve critical outcomes like performance, assignment completion and job satisfaction.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings 30th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management Conference, ARCOM 2014
EditorsA. Raiden, E. Aboagye-Nimo
PublisherAssociation of Researchers in Construction Management
Pages279-288
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780955239083
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event30th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management Conference, ARCOM 2014 - Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Duration: 1 Sep 20143 Sep 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings 30th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management Conference, ARCOM 2014

Conference

Conference30th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management Conference, ARCOM 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityPortsmouth
Period1/09/143/09/14

Keywords

  • Adjustment
  • Assignment completion
  • British expatriate
  • International assignments
  • Job satisfaction
  • Performance

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