Question

Explain the common causes of expatriate failure. What are the major success factors for expatriates? Explain the role and importance of each. Make a list of the reasons you would want to accept a foreign assignment and list of reasons you would want to reject it. Do they depend on the location?

Answer 1

The common causes of failure expatriates are:

1. Selection of wrong individuals - The individual selection is one of the most important aspect and the individual needs to possess professional skills and the urge to grow as an individual. Homesick individuals should not be sent to locations outside the Country.

2. Planning failure - Proper Planning is required to make this successful or else it becomes difficult for the individual to manage life outside the local. I believe that such failure is because the organization or the individual has not planned the venture appropriately.

3. Language Barrier - Communication is an important aspect and if the language differs then the basic proficiency should be there within the employees or else it is difficult to cope with such challenges in communication and language.

4. Budgeting problems - This can be a serious issues in countries which are expensive and improper budgeting will cause an issue for the same.

A foreign assignment is something that requires a lot of analysis that needs to be researched in order to make a decision regarding the same. The first and foremost criteria will be location because if the location is remote and very far with very less options of communication then I might reject the offer. Secondly, the pay is another important aspect which needs to be as per the expectation and even better for the individual. Thirdly, there are various aspects to learn in such projects and provide opportunities to learn and grow as individuals. Lastly, it may provide a platform for exposure in such cases and projects that will help the individual grow.