Multiple Aspects of Readjustment Experienced by International Repatriates in Multinational Enterprises: A Perspective of ‘Changes Occurring Over Time’ and ‘Changes due to Cultural Differences’
Global Talent Management and Staffing in MNEs
ISBN: 978-1-78635-354-2, eISBN: 978-1-78635-353-5
Publication date: 3 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the multiple aspects of readjustment of repatriates and to identify determinants relating to the readjustment, to enable MNEs (multinational enterprises) to utilize the advantages and retain the valuable knowledge that repatriates offer to the organization for talent management.
Methodology/approach
This study conducted a quantitative work involving questionnaire responses of 192 repatriates who returned to Japan after international assignments in MNEs.
Findings
Based on the results of the analysis using this Japanese data, the discussion is summarized in the following three points. First, it is important to seek determinants for the readjustment by focusing on all the aspects of ‘repatriation adjustment’ because the determinants of subordinate aspects are not always identical. Second, ‘organizational factors — work duties’ play a vital role in the readjustment to the organization different from the readjustment to daily life. Further, organizations benefit from providing assistance to both the repatriates and the family of the repatriates to ensure that they are able to successfully readjust to life in the home country.
Originality/value
This study performed a comprehensive analysis of the subordinate concepts of the ‘repatriation adjustment’ dividing it into four aspects of job and private life. Factors related to the readjustment were classified into three factors by using a framework that analyses issues repatriates face by classifying these into changes occurring over time and changes due to cultural differences, and show a logical framework that elucidates the repatriation adjustment factors.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
I am grateful for the comments from this books’ reviewers, the participants of the 2015 Twelfth Annual JIBS (Journal of International Business Studies) Paper Development Workshop in June 2015, and the Association of Japanese Business Studies 27th Annual Conference in June 2014. The authors further appreciate the financial support provided by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Grant Number 26380531), and by a research granted from The Murafa Science Foundation.
Citation
Naito, Y. (2016), "Multiple Aspects of Readjustment Experienced by International Repatriates in Multinational Enterprises: A Perspective of ‘Changes Occurring Over Time’ and ‘Changes due to Cultural Differences’", Global Talent Management and Staffing in MNEs (International Business and Management, Vol. 32), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 101-124. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1876-066X20160000032004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited