EXPATRIATE FAILURE IS A COMMON CHALLENGE FOR MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS: TURN EXPATRIATE FAILURE TO EXPATRIATE SUCCESS

Semere Haile
Donald White
Grambling State University

ABSTRACT
Research indicates that international work assignments have been, and continue to be, a
growing development for global economic competitiveness driven by multinational corporations
(MNCs) desire. This is not important only for MNCs’ success, but also for societal developmental
sustainability. As global business activities increase, expatriate assignments increase for foreign
subsidiaries. However, the challenge becomes more formidable for expatriates who are
unequipped to succeed. The authors of the current study will elaborate on major reasons for
expatriate failure; suggest plans (expatriate selection and preparation, training and development
needs, and cultural adjustment) that MNCs can use to turn expatriate failure to success. The
authors will also deliver study implications, draw concluding remarks, and suggest
recommendations for future research.
Keywords: Expatriate failure, Reasons for expatriate failure, expatriate selection and preparation, training and
development needs, and expatriate cultural adjustment