A model for the influence of social interaction and social support on female expatriates' cross-cultural adjustment

Extreme Expatriation: The Effect of Location Factors and Masculine Environments on Women’s International Assignment Participation in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

“…This results in loneliness and social isolation due to lack of female friendship in these highly gendered settings. Even in city destinations (regardless of whether these are in developed countries or not) women undertaking unaccompanied mobility experience loneliness, finding it difficult to make friends, again aligning with the literature (Caligiuri and Lazarova 2002). While lone female assignees in this research report all expatriate destinations (cities, camps and rigs) challenging as relationship building is hindered by overlapping male work and social space, this research suggests that extreme expatriation in remote and isolated locations may appeal only to certain characters such as those who are particularly outgoing.…”

“…Forster (1999) reports that women assignees have fewer options in terms of geographical destinations, with their assignments typically based in established Western destinations. Even in developed countries, where assignees are undertaking long-term expatriation, city-based office locations and organizational cultures may not be conducive to these women building friendships (Caligiuri and Lazarova 2002). More junior women colleagues may be uncomfortable socializing with them, while local women occupied with family concerns may view them as a threat through their foreign and single status (Napier and Taylor 2002;Taylor and Napier 2001).…”

“…Local culture demands that female expatriates modify their behavior and appearance to a greater extent than men (Coles and Fechter 2008) and building friendships with male host country employees may result in women assignees experiencing social stigma (Caligiuri and Lazarova 2002). In contrast, Verma (2008: 184) notes that living away from home (from spouses/partners) allows men "an enormous degree of freedom", placing strain on conjugal relations and trust.…”

“…Where female expatriates are employed, they lead separate lives from expatriates' wives and do not (or do not wish to) involve themselves in wives' in-compound support groups (Fechter 2008). Single expatriate women, in particular, face isolation and loneliness as social activities frequently revolve around children (Caligiuri and Lazarova 2002).…”

“…As there are relatively few women undertaking assignments in the oil and gas industry (ORC Worldwide 2007) and, in particular, rotational working, the female population in such camp environments is low (Inwood 2007). Long hours working also limits opportunities for building social relationships (Caligiuri and Lazarova 2002). Forster (1999) reports that women assignees have fewer options in terms of geographical destinations, with their assignments typically based in established Western destinations.…”