Cross-cultural communication and the adjustment of Western and non-Western expatriates in multicultural companies: investigating operations in Oman

[摘要] This thesis explores the state of existing knowledge on expatriate work assignments andmatters of adjustment and adaptation as they affect Western, non-Western and host workersin Arab countries, specifically Oman. The main purpose of the research is to provide anintegrated analysis of expatriate adjustment from the perspectives of Western and, crucially,non-Western expatriates and their host national counterparts. It offers a critical appreciationof factors included in Black, Mendenhall, and Oddou's (1991) influential Framework forInternational Adjustment (FIA). The thesis identifies weaknesses in the Black et al approach,drawing insights from more recent literature to consider the dynamics of cross-culturalinteraction and offer a deeper understanding of reciprocal influence, accommodating theneglected viewpoints of non-Western expatriates and focusing greater attention on hostnational attitudes and responses to dealing with Western workers.This sort of relational approach is rare in this area, as much of the literature talks only aboutthe Western expatriate experience. A crucial point borne out by this research is that the wayhost nationals and expatriates cooperate and interact helps to explain: (i) why host nationalsare often reluctant to integrate with Western expatriates in particular; and (ii) how hostnational reluctance can influence the adjustment experience of wider expatriatecommunities. These neglected factors were explored by developing an understanding of theextent to which host nationals interpret differences in culture and forms of behaviour withinand across multinational work groups, and also by investigating host national attitudestowards unacceptable cultural behaviour on the part of expatriates.Quantitative and qualitative data on these issues was gathered through a detailed survey,supplemented by in-depth interviewing. Semi-structured face–to-face interviews wereconducted with 18 expatriates and 22 Omani managers and employees drawn frompetroleum and educational institutions. The results show important differences betweenWestern and non-Western expatriates in terms of both their sense-making about adjustmentand attitudes and orientations to working with host national Omanis. The research alsohighlights significant challenges for the cultural adjustment and workplace effectiveness ofhost nationals themselves. These centre on competing ideas about the significance ofreligion, customs, traditions, and gender segregation. Cultural novelty emerges as asignificant phenomenon, showing positive links to cultural (social) and work adjustment.The analysis of these factors demonstrates that Western-centric accounts provide aninadequate basis for understanding and facilitating multinational work assignments in Oman.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow;Department:Adam Smith Business School

[关键词] HD28 Management. Industrial Management