The "secrets" of successful expatriation : a multiple case study of expatriation management in Innovation Norway and ConocoPhillips

• Main Authors: Hornæs, Trine Lise, Madsen, Mia-Christin
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Universitetet i Nordland 2013
• Subjects: bedriftsøkonomi; VDP::Social science: 200::Economics: 210::Business: 213; Norway; Nordland; Universitetet i Nordland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11250/140878

Masteroppgave i bedriftsøkonomi - Universitetet i Nordland, 2013 This thesis ai ms to disdose the "secrets" of successful expatriation in the case companies Innovation Norway and ConocoPhillips. The method applied is a multiple case study, where we have used an inductive approach with semi-structured interviews to answer our research questions: The aeademie literature eontains a series ofrecommendations for suecessful expatriation: To what extent do the aetual experienees of the largely suecessful expatriates in our two ease eompanies deviate from these ideals? Are potential deviations best understood in terms of a eultural or pragmatie perspeetive? We found that the reality in Innovation Norway and Conoco Phillips deviates from the recommendations in the expatriate literature on severaI aspects throughout the Expatriation Cyde. Our findings support that the pragmatic perspective contributes to a superior understanding of successful expatriation. We argue that the expatriates are able to man age weU in an international context, as long as the pragmatic aspects are sorted out. We found little evidence supporting the cultural perspective, and concluded that it is better used as a supportive means in the expatriation pro cess. It is important to notice that the perspectives are not mutuaUy exduding, and that both can be prominent dep ending on the context. Our study suggests that HR management should focus on pragmatic aspects in expatriation management to achieve successful expatriation. With this, we mean that HR should create a package that contains work for the expatriate, housing, schooling for the children, and activities for the spouse. An important aspect of the package is also general support and contact for the entire family throughout the expatriation pro cess.