Cross‐cultural training to facilitate expatriate adjustment: it works!

TLDR

The study investigates how different types of cross‑cultural training influence expatriate adjustment and whether prior international experience and cultural distance moderate these effects. Using a quantitative design, the authors compared four CCT approaches across three adjustment facets among 224 managers from France, Germany, Korea, and Scandinavia who were expatriated to India. Results show that cross‑cultural training speeds adjustment, the specific training type matters, and both prior international experience and cultural distance moderate its effectiveness, offering practical implications for expatriate management.

Abstract

Purpose The paper examines what are the effects of the different types of cross‐cultural training (CCT) on expatriates' adjustment and whether prior international experience (IE) and cultural distance (CD) have a moderator effect on the effectiveness of CCT. Design/methodology/approach In a quantitative approach the paper examines the effect of four different types of CCT on the three facets of expatriates' adjustment, on a sample consisting of 54 French, 53 German, 60 Korean and 57 Scandinavian managers expatriated to India. The paper then examines the moderator effect of IE and of CD on CCT's effectiveness. Findings CCT accelerates expatriates’ adjustment. The type of CCT received matters. IE and CD have a moderator effect. Practical implications Implications for practice are identified. Originality/value The paper demonstrated the effectiveness of different kinds of CCT and the moderator effects of IE and CD.