Heading towards an unknown culture : The adjustment of expatriates in Greece based on their selection and cross-cultural training

Abstract: International borders are dissolving as a result of globalization, and cross-cultural interactions are becoming a regular part of modern business. Many firms are expanding internationally, necessitating the need to send workers, known as expatriates, abroad. Being able to operate and adjust in a foreign country requires certain skills and traits. Not being able to adjust well in the host country has many times led expatriates to fail their international mission, which negatively affects the expatriate as well as the firm. Previous studies suggest that by selecting and offering a proper cross-cultural training (CCT), expatriates should have an easier time adjusting in the country they move to. Thus, leading to a successful international assignment.  Research on selection and CCTs has predominantly focused on creating frameworks and finding variables that contribute to expatriates’ adjustment. However, there are still unclarities and disagreements regarding the effects of selection and CCT on the expatriates’ in-country adjustment. Therefore, it is important to understand whether expatriates perceive these processes helpful for their adjustment. Moreover, studies that have implemented these frameworks and variables into practicality for Asian or African host countries, thus leaving a gap in Europe and its emerging countries. As such, this study will contribute to this gap to further understand how selection and CCT affect the expatriate’s adjustment in Greece.   A literature is presented with the relevant theories that exist in the field of expatriate selection, cross-cultural training and adjustment, and additionally cultural shock theories. With the aim of collecting data for this study, a qualitative method was approached, where 12 in-depth interviews were conducted on expatriates working in Greece. The interview covered topics of how they perceive their selection process, the CCT they received before their mission and their adjustment in the host country. General findings were that the classical selection and CCT theories and processes are still applicable up to this day. An additional finding to these theories was that the expatriates do not favor CCT processes. Moreover, it was observed that the perceived cultural differences between the home and host country of the expatriate is the main factor that is affected by the selection and CCT. Finally, the researchers suggest further research to be conducted for several factors concerning the in-country adjustment.