Title: The function of social networks in expatriate effectiveness

Authors: Lily Jiao Li, Xiao-Hua (Frank) Wang, Mitchell Rothstein

Addresses: School of Business, Grant MacEwan University, City Centre Campus, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4S2, Canada. ' Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C2, Canada. ' Aubrey Dan Program in Management and Organizational Studies, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C2, Canada

Abstract: This study examined the role of social networks in expatriate effectiveness in their overseas assignment. The model in this study proposed that an expatriate|s social network in a new culture provides two important functions: cultural information and social support, which in turn influence three aspects of expatriate|s effectiveness: adjustment, job satisfaction and job performance. The results showed that the size and closeness of an expatriate|s social network are positively related to the amount of social support and cultural information he or she receives respectively. The cultural information facilitates an expatriate|s adjustment and job performance, and social support improves expatriate adjustment and job satisfaction. The implication of this study was discussed as well.

Keywords: business; emerging markets; expatriate effectiveness; expatriate management; social networks; cross-cultural management; expatriates; culture; cultural information; social support; adjustment; job satisfaction; job performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2010.035667

International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2010 Vol.2 No.4, pp.409 - 424

Published online: 02 Oct 2010 *

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