Selecting Expatriate Managers

For firms operating in multiple countries, being able to efficiently and effectively manage expatriates in global markets is a critical human resource management skill. Done correctly, it can even become a source of competitive advantage. However, expatriate training and relocation costs are very expensive, and the odds of failure can be quite high. Some research suggests that expatriate adjustment is an important factor influencing not only job performance but also the completion of the expatriate assignment. One measure some companies use is The Big Five Personality Quiz which examines the following areas:

• Extraversion
• Agreeableness
• Conscientiousness
• Neuroticism /sometimes called Emotional Stability
• Openness to Experience

Once a need for an expatriate has been identified, selecting the best person for the job is a task that can make or break the assignment.

Read the mini-case and answer the following questions.

Rogers company is planning on opening a new foreign subsidiary in Brazil. The corporate headquarters has identified three candidatesDavid, Megan, and Mary Annwho all have the technical skills necessary to run the new subsidiary successfully. Expatriate managers must have technical competence in the area of operations; otherwise, they will be unable to earn the respect of subordinates. However, technical competence has been almost the sole variable used in deciding who to send on overseas assignments, despite the fact that multiple skills are necessary for successful performance in these assignments. Roger has been asked to interview each candidate to see who would be the most likely to succeed in this role. The following excerpts are from Rogers interviews with each candidate.

David

I really think this job could help me establish my financial footing, and I'm excited to be considered for this position just three years after starting here. I don't anticipate any relocation problems, since I've traveled extensively in Europe, and I can't imagine Brazil is much different since they speak a European language, even if they are in South America. I'm good with languages and took four years of French in high school. My wife speaks Portuguese and works at the university in town. She said that finding a comparable job in Brazil would not be a challenge. I've never had any health problems either, just a broken bone or two in my younger days. This will be my first position in a managerial role, but I was on good terms with my last boss, so I can ask her if any problems arise. I pride myself on having the skills that enable me to maintain my positive self-image and my psychological well-being, even during the most stressful situations. I work well with my coworkers, as long as they see eye-to-eye with me. I don't know exactly what my role will be once I get back home, but if things don't work out here, at least it'll look good on my resume.

Megan

International business was one of my undergraduate majors, so I've been hoping to get a chance to accept an international assignment since I joined the company five years ago. I don't speak Portuguese, but I'm fluent in Spanish. I also had an internship for one year in Argentina. My time in Argentina taught me to take initiative. I was able to meet all my goals as an intern, even though HR was not available. Although there are differences between the languages and cultures, I don't anticipate any problems in that respect. My husband was in the Peace Corps in Africa for four years before we met, so he's used to living abroad, and we love to travel. I consider myself to be an independent thinker; however, I do tend to be an introvert. My only health issue is hypothyroidism, but I've had it under control for a decade, and my doctor has checked to make sure getting medicine in Brazil would not be a problem in the big cities. I've talked extensively with my supervisor, and she thinks that this assignment fits in nicely with my career progression within the company. The only concern I have is that this assignment may put some temporary financial pressures upon my family as a result of an overseas assignment.

Mary Ann

My grandfather is Brazilian. During the summers, I spent time with him in Brazil. I was very good at developing long-term friendships and have even stayed in contact with some of the people that I met there. I never picked up much of the language, but I did absorb a lot of the culture. Because English is so universal these days, I dont think that it would be a problem. I'm going through a divorce right now, so it'll be nice to get a bit of a fresh start for whatever lies ahead. We have two kids in middle school, but we're trying to work out an arrangement. Their dad travels all the time for work, so we'll probably have to work out a joint custody arrangement. I have pretty bad asthma, but it isn't a problem as long as I am not under significant stress and air pollution is minimal. Apparently, my usual medicines aren't available in Brazil, so hopefully I'll be able to find something else that works. I've been with the company for a little over a decade now, so I know the company philosophy well, and I am comfortable that my decisions will reflect the companys mission. I've always gotten along well with coworkers, so I consider patience to be one of my strengths.

Which candidate has the best the self-dimension?

Multiple Choice

• David

• Megan

• Mary Ann

Which candidate has the best overall health?

Multiple Choice

• Megan

• Mary Ann

• David

Which candidate would be more successful at understanding culture and making contacts with other Brazilians?

Multiple Choice

• Megan

• Mary Ann

• David

Which candidate may have a problem being outgoing, which would make it harder to establish relationships both socially and on the job?

Multiple Choice

• David

• Mary Ann

• Megan

Which candidate would not have family career adjustment problems should the family move overseas?

Multiple Choice

• Megan

• David

• Mary Ann