Cross-cultural training and development for overseas assignments

• Learning objectives • To emphasise the prevalence of international assignments in today’s integrated business settings. • To explain and evaluate cross-cultural training programs for international assignees, emphasising differences between expatriates and inpatriates. • To acknowledge that successful overseas assignment and relocation require the joint efforts of both international human resource managers and the focal employee assigned to the new destination. • Learning outcomes After reading this chapter, students will be able to: • understand and evaluate cross-cultural training programs designed for international assignees • understand and appreciate training tools, learning mechanisms and socialisation programs to manage and minimise culture shock • comprehend that the success of long-term international assignees is heavily influenced by the joint efforts of international human resource managers and the relocated employee • appreciate the need to develop individualised and cross-culturally appropriate training programs for overseas assignees before, during and after their arrival in a host country.