IHRMand expatriation inJapaneseMNCs:HRMpractices and their impact on adjustment and job performance

Abstract

Studies of international human resource management (IHRM) have pointed out that Japanese multinational companies (MNCs) tend to use more parent‐country nationals (PCNs) than do western MNCs. The ethnocentric staffing policies imply that the management of expatriation has a greater influence on the success of Japanese MNCs. We use survey data from 149 Japanese repatriates to examine the relationship between IHRM practices – selection, preparation and corporate support – and expatriate adjustment and job performance, as well as identify differences by the location of assignment. We find that selection criteria, language ability and familiarity with local cultures are positively related to work adjustment, and that leadership and relational abilities are slightly associated with job performance though there were no significant relationships between considerations for family situations and adjustment or job performance. The results also reveal that HRM practices while abroad, in particular the interactive exchange of information between expatriates and the headquarters, have a significant influence. Pre‐departure preparation programs are not related to the dependent variables. The data also suggests that living and working in China is a particular problem for Japanese expatriates.

Managing Successful Overseas Assignments in Malaysia: Social Competencies, Emotional Competencies, Job Performance and Cultural Adjustment

“…Holopainen and Bjo¨rkman (2005) stressed the importance of communication ability for expatriate success. Furusawa and Brewster (2016) found that language ability was positively related to work adjustment. Researchers generally agreed on the importance of such communication ability but some disagreement exists among researchers on linguistic ability.…”

“…Furusawa and Brewster (2016) found that relational abilities were associated with job performance. Solomon et al, (2009) further stressed that the relationship dimension is the foundation of all interpersonal interactions.…”

“…Social competencies have been identified by researchers as one of the critical personal qualities that are linked with adjustment and job performance of expatriates (e.g., Furusawa and Brewster, 2016;Hochwarter, Will, Treadway, & Ferris, 2006). A study by Witt and Ferris (2003) linked social skills with job performance.…”

“…Under social competencies, researchers have placed high importance on relational abilities (e.g., Furusawa and Brewster, 2016). Furusawa and Brewster (2016) found that relational abilities were associated with job performance.…”

“…On the contrary, a study by Holopainen and Bjo¨rkman (2005), found that relational ability was not significantly related to success. Communication ability and language ability has also been widely studied (e.g., Furusawa and Brewster, 2016). Holopainen and Bjo¨rkman (2005) stressed the importance of communication ability for expatriate success.…”