Title: Matchmaking and the multinational enterprise: how individual motivation and international strategy interact to affect expatriate adjustment

Authors: Catalin Ratiu, Elena Lvina, Erica Berte

Addresses: California State University San Marcos, 333 S.Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos, CA 92096-0001, USA. ' John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, H3G 1M8, Canada. ' Division of Business, Indiana University – Purdue University Columbus, 4601 Central Avenue, Columbus, IN 47203, USA

Abstract: In this theoretical work, we propose a fresh look at expatriate adjustment, in which the focus is on the link between motivational antecedents and expatriate adjustment, moderated by international strategy orientation. Key concepts from human resource management and international strategic management are linked in a model that crosses levels of analysis and develops a typology of expatriate adjustment. The primary contribution of this paper is extending our understanding of human resource management in the complex environments of emerging and transitional economies, by showing when and how expatriates are likely to adjust more effectively.

Keywords: local-global dynamics; autonomous motivation; controlled motivation; self-determination theory; international strategy; expatriate adjustment; multinational enterprises; MNEs; expats; expatriates; human resource management; HRM; strategic management; emerging markets; transition economies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2011.041676

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2011 Vol.11 No.2/3/4, pp.274 - 289

Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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