Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/1 Chapter 7 Re-entry and career issues Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/2 Chapter objectives • the process of re-entry or repatriation • job-related issues (cont.) Whereas the preceding chapters concentrated on the management and support of international assignments, this chapter deals with what could be called the post-assignment stage. Re-entry, though, raises issues for both the expatriate and the multinational, some of which may be connected to events that occurred during the international assignment. We treat this stage as part of the international assignment. We examine: Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/3 Chapter objectives (cont.) • social factors, including family factors that affect re-entry and work adjustment • multinational responses to repatriate concerns return on investment (ROI) and knowledge transfer • designing a repatriation programme. Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/4 Re-entry • Expatriation process also includes repatriation: the activity of bringing the expatriate back to the home country • Re-entry presents new challenges – May experience re-entry shock – Some exit the company Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/5 Figure 7-1: Expatriation includes repatriation Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/6 Figure 7-2: The repatriation process Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/7 Repatriation phases • Preparation - developing plans for the future; gathering information about the new position • Physical relocation • Transition • Readjustment - coping with change Use of relocation consultants and removal firms Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/8 Individual reactions: job-related • Career anxiety – No post-assignment guarantee of employment – Loss of visibility and isolation – Changes in the home workplace • Work adjustment – The employment relationship and career expectation – Re-entry position – Devaluing of international experience • Coping with new role demands • Loss of status and pay Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/9 Figure 7-3: The repatriate’s role Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/10 UK repatriate study • Survey of 124 recently repatriated employees • Data analysis indicated five predictors for repatriate maladjustment (in ranked order): – Length of time abroad – Unrealistic expectations – Downward job mobility – Reduced work status – Negative perceptions of employer’s support N. Forster (1994) The Forgotten Employees? The Experience of Expatriate Staff Returning to the UK, International Journal of Human Resource Management, 5 (2): 408 [...]... survey Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 14 Table 7- 1 : Topics covered by a repatriation program Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 15 The use of mentors • Aims to alleviate the ‘out-of-sight, ‘out-ofmind’ feeling... profound effect that job-related factors appear to have, re-entry shock is perhaps a more accurate term to describe the readjustment process experienced upon repatriation (cont.) Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 17 Chapter summary (cont.) • Job-related issues centered on career issues upon re-entry Factors that... promotions • Effective mentoring needs managing Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 16 Chapter summary This chapter has been concerned with the repatriation process We have covered: • The repatriation process One may conclude that in re-entry, the broader socio-cultural context of the home country takes a backstage...Figure 7- 4 : The readjustment challenge Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 11 Individual reactions: social factors • International experience can distance the repatriate (and family) socially and psychologically (eg Kingpin syndrome) • Each family member undergoing readjustment • Re-establishing social... expatriation process, as suggested in Figure 7- 1 , should remind those responsible for expatriation management of the need to prepare repatriates for reentry and to recognize the value of the international experience to both parties Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 22 ... return on investment through international assignments and the contribution of repatriates to knowledge transfer • Designing effective repatriation programs, including the use of mentors (cont.) Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 20 Chapter summary (cont.) Although the focus of this chapter has been repatriation... aspect was the effect of the international assignment upon the spouse/partner’s career, such as being re-employed and having international experience recognized (cont.) Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 19 Chapter summary (cont.) • Multinational responses to repatriates’ concerns focused on reentry procedures... with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 13 Difficulties in measuring ROI • Receiving feedback from the business unit concerned • Tracking international assignments in a systematic way • No formal planning • Lack of objective measures • Too many decisions made without cost considerations From responses to GMAC-GRS... Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 12 Multinational responses • Staff availability – How repatriation is handled is critical • Return on investment (ROI) – Defining ROI in terms of expatriation – Gains accruing through repatriated staff • Knowledge transfer – A one-way activity? – Tacit and person-bound?... pay (cont.) Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 18 Chapter summary (cont.) • Social factors explored were loss of social standing – the kingpin syndrome – and the accompanying loss of the expatriate lifestyle Family readjustment was also important A specific aspect was the effect of the international assignment . with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 1 Chapter 7 Re-entry and career issues Use with International Human. Welch 7/ 5 Figure 7- 1 : Expatriation includes repatriation Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 6 Figure. 7/ 6 Figure 7- 2 : The repatriation process Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-8 4480013-X Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch 7/ 7 Repatriation