CESE 8JUST ANOTHER MOVE TO CHINA? THE IMPACT OF

INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENT ON

EXPATRIATE FAMILIES

• What is an expatriate families ? is a family temporarily or permanently residing in a foreign

country other than their country.• What is the main cause of expatriate families failure?

Families adjustment to the foreign country• Being trailing spouse

trailing spouse is used to describe a person who follows his or her life partner to another city because of a work assignment.• Third Culture Kids ( TCKs) for their kids

is a term used to refer to children who were raised in a other culture as that culture was not from their family but it was the third culture from the third country.

EASY CONCEPT OF CASE 8

>> Expatriate Family >>

LEARNING OUTCOMES!!

LEARNING OUTCOMES!! • What is an expatriate family ?

is a family temporarily or permanently residing in a foreign country other than their country.• What is the main cause of expatriate families failure?

Families adjustment to the foreign country• Being trailing spouse

trailing spouse is used to describe a person who follows his or her life partner to another city because of a work assignment.• Third Culture Kids ( TCKs) for their kids

is a term used to refer to children who were raised in an other culture as that culture was not from their family but it was the third culture from the third country.

Expatriate Lifeof

MacDougall

LACHLAN LISA

EXPATRIATE JOURNEY OF LACHLAN & LISA

Sydney

Chicago

Philadelphia Singapore Shanghai<< 1th daughter : Emelia >> << 2rd daughter : Emily >>

CASE SUMMARY

• Lisa MacDougall - Expatriate wife • Lives in Singapore with Husband and 2

young daughters• Has a full-time job in Singapore she enjoys -

has been working there a year• Husband's company recently offered him a

international assignment to China• MacDougal's been on a number of

international assignments - Chicago, Philadelphia, Singapore

• MacDougalls seasoned expatriates but finding the China decision tough to make

• Considerations: Financial situation, 2 young daughters settled in school, own their own home in Singapore, Lisa enjoys her job in Singapore & looking to focus on her career, all have permanent residency in Singapore

• MacDougalls consider all issues & decide the best decision is for the family to move to China

CASE ISSUES Different country ! Different Culture !

• Low power distance which underscores the American premise of "liberty and justice for all"

• Highly individualistic culture• Considered a "masculine" society• American society - "uncertainty accepting"• Short-term orientated culture

• High power distance with a Confucian background• A collectivist society• On the "middle" of masculinity/ femininity scale but

leaning more toward feminine side• Low uncertainty avoidance• In the middle of Long-term orientation shows

cultural qualities supporting long term investment

• Sits in the higher rankings of PDI (power distance)• Highly collectivist culture• Masculine society - success oriented & driven• Has a low score on uncertainty avoidance• Highly long term oriented society

CASE ISSUES Different country ! Different Culture !

TCKs(Third Culture Kids)

AND

MacDougall’s kids

Amelia

Emily

Advantages:• Some of them that are always on the move

from one country to another gets to many experience as a guest in many places, and learn about each culture during his/her stay.

• Some of them, because of traveling so often are very flexible and adaptable to many places.

• Some TCKs have learnt many different languages from their parents our homes, making it convenient to communicate with people around the world.

• After moving from one country to another, some TCKs have become more open-minded to the cultures of the world since he/she has had personal experience

Third Culture Kids ( TCKs)

Disadvantages : • A confusing sense of belonging. Some TCKs

can find this a challenge, belonging to many countries but wanting to have more connection to one.

• Sometimes moving around can be a challenge to a TCK’s social life. Every time they need to move, they have to leave friends and families behind.

• Some TCKs hate settling down every time they live in a new country. It could be like a entire new world for them, not knowing the rules, language and culture.

Qualities shown in the MacDougall Family

• Ability to work in intercultural situations

• Stress management ability• Emotional intelligence• International mobility• Family mobility• Leadership ability

In what ways does the MacDougall family represent a rare and valuable resource to a multinational firm?Q : 1

• Adjustment to the foreign culture• Willingness to move• Rare competencies – intercultural• Cross culture suitability

CASE QUESTION

Reflecting on Lisa's Dual career trailing spouse journey, how would you have approached the situation differently Q:2

• Extend Lisa language knowledge• Broader perspective on new experiences• Visa

CASE QUESTION

What problems do you foreseefor Amelia and Emily if the MacDougall family undertakes another move after Shanghai?Q:3

• Difficulty with commitment• Uncertain cultural identity• Problems with decision making• Restlessness• Loss of relationships• Feeling different from others• Crisis of identity - "who am I?"

Although its not discussed, What impact do you think international mobility has had on the MacDougall marriage?Q:4

• Lisa found herself increasingly frustrated and constrained by trailing spouse life that she had once willingly embraced

• Bored and life seemed dull and oppressive • Lisa felt invisible without a job title • Lachlan supported there lifestyle• They both adjusted to social life within their countries they

resided • Lisa supported their family

Nikky Nana

Thank you