Expatriate demographic characteristics and host country national support: an empirical investigation in Central/South America
Cross Cultural & Strategic Management
ISSN: 2059-5794
Article publication date: 2 November 2020
Issue publication date: 29 April 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The support of host country nationals (HCNs) is critical for expatriate adjustment and performance. Drawing from social identity theory and self-categorization theory, this study investigates the antecedents of HCNs' support toward expatriates in Central/South America, focusing on cultural similarities and expatriate race.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted a quasi-experimental study to understand the antecedents that promote the willingness of HCNs to offer required support to expatriates. Data were gathered from 117 Latin American participants, who were asked to respond to questions about their perceptions of expatriates from the USA and their willingness to offer support to those expatriates.
Findings
Overall, our findings suggest that HCNs are likely to provide support to expatriates when they perceive the expatriates as similar in terms of culture and race. Specifically, African Americans received more positive attitudes and support than White Americans in South/Central America. The effect of cultural similarity on HCN willingness to support expatriates was mediated by perceived trustworthiness.
Originality/value
The present study extends the research on HCN support to expatriates, to Central/South America, an important region that has been under-studied in the expatriate–HCN context. Another novel feature of our study is that we investigate the role of expatriate race and cultural similarity and illuminate the underlying mechanism of the relationship between expatriate race and HCN support.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Alexandra Campos for her help with data collection.
Citation
Varma, A., Yoon, Y.-J. and Froese, F.J. (2021), "Expatriate demographic characteristics and host country national support: an empirical investigation in Central/South America", Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 407-423. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCSM-02-2020-0036
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited