A Model of expatriate on-the-job adaptation to overseas assignments : A communication perspective

This paper presents an empirically based model that describes the process of how successful expatriates adapted to their overseas assignments. Tracing the adaptation process over three stages, the model describes both internally and externally focused adaptation activities. In internally focused activities expatriates (a) implemented management systems and approaches suitable to their organizational units and (b) maintained and developed relationships with corporate headquarters and other enterprise units. In externally focused activities the expatriates concentrated on tasks that integrated their organizational units with the exterior environment. © 2000 by The Haworth Press, Inc.