CESE 8 JUST ANOTHER MOVE TO CHINA? THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENT ON EXPATRIATE FAMILIES -- HR case study

1. CESE 8
JUST ANOTHER MOVE TO
CHINA? THE IMPACT OF
INTERNATIONAL
ASSIGNMENT ON
EXPATRIATE FAMILIES

2. • 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!!

3. 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.

4. Expatriate Life
of
MacDougall
LACHLAN LISA

5. EXPATRIATE JOURNEY OF LACHLAN & LISA
Sydney
Chicago
Philadelphia Singapore Shanghai<< 1th daughter : Emelia >> << 2rd daughter : Emily >>
CASE SUMMARY

6. • 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

7. 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

8. • 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 !

9. TCKs
(Third Culture Kids)
AND
MacDougall’s
kids
Amelia
Emily

10. 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)

11. 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.

12. Qualities shown in the MacDougall Family
• Ability to work in
intercultural situations
• Stress management ability
• Emotional intelligence
• International mobility
• Family mobility
• Leadership ability

13. 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

14. Reflecting on Lisa's Dual career trailing spouse
journey, how would you have approached the
situation differentlyQ:2
• Extend Lisa language knowledge
• Broader perspective on new experiences
• Visa
CASE QUESTION

15. What problems do you foresee
for 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?"

16. 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

17. Nikky Nana
Thank you