Resumé
Design/methodology/approach – We conducted a case study analysis of thirty-three expatriates and ten accompanying partners who were put in touch with a local host, with whom they undertook a broad range of activities during a period of nine months.
Findings – Nine factors influenced the development of the contact (similarities, motivation, benefits, anxiety, expectations, busy schedules, suboptimal timing, communication breakdown, and cultural differences). Key factors were similarities, motivation and benefits.
Research limitations/implications – While some of the factors (e.g. similarities) are predictable according to the Social Penetration Theory, four factors were uniquely applicable to purposely created relationships such as contact with a local host: motivation, expectations, anxiety, and suboptimal timing.
Practical implications – Our study provides suggestions that could stimulate the contact with a local host, making the intervention more valuable for organizations who wish to support their expatriates in this way.
Originality/value – This longitudinal study is one of the first to examine in detail the process of development of purposely created interpersonal relationships in an intercultural context. Furthermore, our study is new because it also examines unsuccessful relationships.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | Journal of Global Mobility |
| Vol/bind | 3 |
| Udgave nummer | 1 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 25-45 |
| ISSN | 2049-8799 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - 9. mar. 2015 |
Fingeraftryk
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Developing a high quality intercultural relationship: expatriates and their local host. / van Bakel, Marian; van Oudenhoven, Jan Pieter; Gerritsen, Marinel.
I: Journal of Global Mobility, Bind 3, Nr. 1, 09.03.2015, s. 25-45.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › peer review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Developing a high quality intercultural relationship: expatriates and their local host
AU - van Bakel, Marian
AU - van Oudenhoven, Jan Pieter
AU - Gerritsen, Marinel
PY - 2015/3/9
Y1 - 2015/3/9
N2 - Purpose – Our qualitative study examines the development of purposely created interpersonal relationships in an intercultural context. Contact with a local host is a way of helping expatriates deal with the challenges of an international assignment. Since the quality of contact with the host is pivotal to benefit most from this experience, this paper examines which factors influence contact quality.Design/methodology/approach – We conducted a case study analysis of thirty-three expatriates and ten accompanying partners who were put in touch with a local host, with whom they undertook a broad range of activities during a period of nine months. Findings – Nine factors influenced the development of the contact (similarities, motivation, benefits, anxiety, expectations, busy schedules, suboptimal timing, communication breakdown, and cultural differences). Key factors were similarities, motivation and benefits.Research limitations/implications – While some of the factors (e.g. similarities) are predictable according to the Social Penetration Theory, four factors were uniquely applicable to purposely created relationships such as contact with a local host: motivation, expectations, anxiety, and suboptimal timing.Practical implications – Our study provides suggestions that could stimulate the contact with a local host, making the intervention more valuable for organizations who wish to support their expatriates in this way.Originality/value – This longitudinal study is one of the first to examine in detail the process of development of purposely created interpersonal relationships in an intercultural context. Furthermore, our study is new because it also examines unsuccessful relationships.
AB - Purpose – Our qualitative study examines the development of purposely created interpersonal relationships in an intercultural context. Contact with a local host is a way of helping expatriates deal with the challenges of an international assignment. Since the quality of contact with the host is pivotal to benefit most from this experience, this paper examines which factors influence contact quality.Design/methodology/approach – We conducted a case study analysis of thirty-three expatriates and ten accompanying partners who were put in touch with a local host, with whom they undertook a broad range of activities during a period of nine months. Findings – Nine factors influenced the development of the contact (similarities, motivation, benefits, anxiety, expectations, busy schedules, suboptimal timing, communication breakdown, and cultural differences). Key factors were similarities, motivation and benefits.Research limitations/implications – While some of the factors (e.g. similarities) are predictable according to the Social Penetration Theory, four factors were uniquely applicable to purposely created relationships such as contact with a local host: motivation, expectations, anxiety, and suboptimal timing.Practical implications – Our study provides suggestions that could stimulate the contact with a local host, making the intervention more valuable for organizations who wish to support their expatriates in this way.Originality/value – This longitudinal study is one of the first to examine in detail the process of development of purposely created interpersonal relationships in an intercultural context. Furthermore, our study is new because it also examines unsuccessful relationships.
KW - Contact quality
KW - local host
KW - expatriate support
KW - intercultural friendship
KW - social penetration
U2 - 10.1108/JGM-04-2014-0009
DO - 10.1108/JGM-04-2014-0009
M3 - Journal article
VL - 3
SP - 25
EP - 45
JO - Journal of Global Mobility
JF - Journal of Global Mobility
SN - 2049-8799
IS - 1
ER -