Week 5 Discussion

Preparing the Expatriate for an International Assignment

When an organization decides to send an employee or a team on an international assignment, preparation on behalf of an  HR professional is important. Think of it this way, does the military deploy the Navy Seals, the 75th Ranger Regiment, Delta Force, Marine Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Tactics, or any other special unit to a foreign country without a well- documented plan? What would happen if the military is ill-prepared for a mission? Imagine for a moment, a team has landed in a  designated country, but someone forgot to supply food and water for the mission, failed to check the fuel for the plane, or sent the team to the Arctic without appropriate uniforms and gear. What would eventually happen to the team after thirty days, sixty days, ninety days, six months, or a year? By the way, you cannot deliver these items to the team since the drop zone is being guarded by the enemy. You are the leader of your team and to send anyone from the group on a mission without a plan will eventually have negative consequences. How does the HR professional prepare the expatriate for the new international assignment in the host country?

Ensure the expatriate is �uent in the language of the host country.

Connect the expatriate with someone who is familiar with the country.

Be certain this individual or team will be able to adapt to the new country.

Develop a plan to stay in constant communication with the expatriate.

This list is not all-inclusive. Preparation is extensive and will take much research on your part. Remember, as the HR professional, you are responsible for this individual or team assigned to work in another country.

Why Do International Assignments Fail?

Reasons

Job and work environment 

Family factors

Organizational support 

From the South University Online Library, read the following:

Why Do International Assignments Fail? 

(https://www.thecampuscommon.com/library/ezproxy/ticketdemocs.asp?

sch=suo&turl=http://search.ebscohost.com.southuniversity.libproxy.edmc.edu/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=bth&AN=99130334&site=eds-live)

Cultural adjustments

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Additional Materials

From your course textbook, Strategic Compensation: A Human Resource Management Approach, read the following chapter:

Compensating the Expatriate

From the South University Online Library, read the following articles:

Is an International Assignment Right for You?  (https://www.thecampuscommon.com/library/ezproxy/ticketdemocs.asp? sch=suo&turl=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=ofm&AN=101692473&site=eds-live)

Lessons Learned from Implementing an Intercultural Communication Training Program for Pre- Departure Expatriates  (https://www.thecampuscommon.com/library/ezproxy/ticketdemocs.asp? sch=suo&turl=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1148969&site=eds-live)

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