The Relationship Between Psychic Distance and Expatriate Adjustment to Host Countries
Advisor Information
Carey Ryan
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
7-3-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
7-3-2014 4:00 PM
Abstract
Multinational corporations send expatriates all around the world to live and work. Expatriates’ adjustment to the host country partially determines their success abroad. A handful of studies have examined the relationship between cultural distance and adjustment; however, the results of these studies have been inconsistent. Some studies suggest that adjustment is greater when the home and host countries are more similar, whereas others suggest that there is no relationship between cultural distance and adjustment at all. It is possible, however, that the relationship between cultural distance and adjustment depends on previous experience or host-national contact. It is also possible that psychic distance, which includes cultural distance and a variety of other factors, predicts adjustment better than cultural distance alone. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether the relationship between psychic distance and adjustment depends on previous experience and contact with host nationals. Eighty-seven American expatriates on assignment in twenty-one countries completed mailed questionnaires assessing previous experience, host-national contact, and adjustment to the foreign culture. Psychic distance was calculated by assessing cultural and geographic distance between the home and host country as well as differences in language, education level, industrial development, political system, and religion. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression procedures.
The Relationship Between Psychic Distance and Expatriate Adjustment to Host Countries
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Multinational corporations send expatriates all around the world to live and work. Expatriates’ adjustment to the host country partially determines their success abroad. A handful of studies have examined the relationship between cultural distance and adjustment; however, the results of these studies have been inconsistent. Some studies suggest that adjustment is greater when the home and host countries are more similar, whereas others suggest that there is no relationship between cultural distance and adjustment at all. It is possible, however, that the relationship between cultural distance and adjustment depends on previous experience or host-national contact. It is also possible that psychic distance, which includes cultural distance and a variety of other factors, predicts adjustment better than cultural distance alone. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether the relationship between psychic distance and adjustment depends on previous experience and contact with host nationals. Eighty-seven American expatriates on assignment in twenty-one countries completed mailed questionnaires assessing previous experience, host-national contact, and adjustment to the foreign culture. Psychic distance was calculated by assessing cultural and geographic distance between the home and host country as well as differences in language, education level, industrial development, political system, and religion. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression procedures.