The Expatriate Experience: A Case Study Of A Pharmaceutical Company In The European Union

Abstract

This study examines the Cross-Cultural adjustment of expatriates entering into Belgium corporate and social society. The research was petitioned by the Organization of People Development of a multinational pharmaceutical corporation based within the European (EU). Concern existed regarding retention rates of expatriates and the formidable costs of failed expatriate assignments. Thirty upper level managers expressed an interest in participating in a series of interviews focused on their personal and professional experiences as expatriates. The methodological approach was qualitative in nature. The technique used was informal, in-depth interviews in tandem with a quantitatively based survey instrument to collect demographic data and satisfaction rates. Results revealed significant dissatisfaction with a number of dependent variables correlated with successful integration, i.e. personal and professional satisfaction and spousal or partner satisfaction. Narrative descriptions of acculturation adjustment provide depth into the challenges of expatriate’s assignments. Researcher relied on Hofstede’s (2001) cultural model for a greater understanding of “Culture’s Consequences.”