The effect of emotions in cross‐cultural expatriate experiences

Abstract

With increased recognition of the existence of emotions in everyday interpersonal interactions, the need for emotions in cross‐cultural interactions has become more obvious. Emotions play an important role in cross‐cultural expatriate interactions as these experiences are essentially social encounters. Yet, little research addresses the emotions felt and the emotional demands involved in the cross‐cultural interaction. Research on expatriate experiences centres solely on the cross‐cultural training, sensitivity, and adaptability of expatriates. What fails to be addressed, however, is the emotional aspect of this interaction. In this paper, we examine the cross‐cultural expatriate experience, integrating both the cultural and emotional aspects of the interaction. In doing so, we aim to advance understanding of the expatriate experience and the potential reasons underlying expatriate success and failure.

Emotional intelligence and British expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment in international construction projects

“…al., 2005). As such, individualists experience emotional conflict when the host culture requires them to put the needs and wants of the group before their own self (Tan et al, 2005). This ambiguity surrounding cultural issues/differences has the potential to create substantial misunderstandings during cross-cultural encounters (Dolan and Kawamura, 2015).…”

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Eliciting emotions in HIV/AIDS research: a diary‐based approach

“…Before discussing the commissioning of the diaries, it is important to recognize the cultural context in which the diaries were undertaken. Socio‐cultural norms and notions play a key role in influencing displays of emotion (Tan et al 2005) and in this research there was a clear distinction between emotions displayed in public and private spaces. Public displays of emotion were restricted, with funerals providing one of the few public arenas in which emotions such as grief and sorrow were openly displayed and, particularly amongst women, expected 1 .…”

Practicing effective knowledge sharing in international hotel joint ventures

“…Emotional intelligence is a necessary prerequisite of effective knowledge sharing in IJVs that are formed between partners that possess a sufficient degree of cultural distance between them [for example, an IJV with English and Japanese partners] because even if individual managers in culturally distant IJVs possess learning orientations they are still likely to experience culture shock induced stress (Avril and Magnini, 2007). Emotional intelligence is also particularly useful Individuals will be open to new perspectives (e.g., Porter and Tansky, 1996) Individuals will seek and embrace new situations rather than avoid them (e.g., Porter and Tansky, 1996) Individuals will be more likely to exchange information with corporate headquarters Emotional intelligence (IND) Individuals will channel emotions to promote growth (e.g., Tan et al, 2005) Individuals will generate emotions to aid problem solving in new situations (e.g., Tan et al, 2005) Individuals will be more likely to exchange information with corporate headquarters Agreeableness (IND) Individuals will be cooperative and supportive when exchanging knowledge (e.g., Cabrera et al, 2006) Individuals will be cooperative and supportive when new situations surface (e.g., Cabrera et al, 2006) Individuals will be more likely to exchange information with corporate headquarters Job satisfaction (IND) Individuals will be more eager to collect knowledge (de Vries et al, 2006) Individuals will have positive attitudes when new situations surface (e.g., Salancik and Pfeffer, 1977) Individuals will be more likely to exchange information with corporate headquarters Awareness (REL) Partners will better able to exchange knowledge if they know where the other's expertise lies (e.g., Borgatti and Cross, 2003) Partners will be better able to face new situations if they know where the other's expertise lies (e.g., Borgatti and Cross, 2003) Corporate headquarters will be better able to extract knowledge from the JV if it knows who possesses a particular expertise Access (REL)…”