A Study Of Indonesian Host Country Nationals' Perspectives: What Expatriates Should Know

Abstract

Expatriates live many paradoxical experiences while being immersed in another culture (Russell, 2006; Osland & Osland, 2006; Russell & Dickie, 2007; Russell & Aquino-Russell, 2010; 2011). This led us to wonder what it might be like for host country nationals (HCNs) to work with expatriates in their own country. There is literature describing the changing of business, communication, and cultural practices so that expatriates can be more successful and more culturally congruent (Selmer, 2000; Banuta-Gomez, 2002; Montagliani & Giacalone, 1998; Hawkins, 1983; Peppas, 2004), but is this really happening from the HCN’s perspectives? This study focused on describing the lived experience of Indonesian employees using their own words. Written descriptions were analyzed/synthesized using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method (Giorgi, 1975; 1985; 2009; Giorgi & Giorgi, 2003). The central finding points to a ‘disconnect’ between two worlds and paradoxical ways of being for Indonesians while working for Western-based organizations at home. The new knowledge may enhance knowledge for managers which could in turn alter management practices in relation to valuing HCNs for their contributions to Western organizations.