Human Resources Management - Expatriation Process

1. Expatriation Process
Zineb Sahiaoui
Haroun Hssain
Faycal Benjelloun

2. When & Why?

Expatriates are employees of organizations in one country
who are assigned to work in other countries on long- or
short-term business projects.

Help their companies:
− Establish operations in other countries
− Enter overseas markets or transfer skills and
knowledge to their companies’ business partners.
− Helps organizations develop their management
skills base and their ability to succeed in a global
marketplace.

3. How Do Expatriates Help the
Company?

Parent Control and Particular Expertise

Improve Local Market Knowledge

Instill Company Culture

Transfer knowledge to overseas partners

Increase Local Control

Develop Management Talent

4. Difficulties Faced by
Expatriates

Cultural Shock/Differences

Loneliness

Language Issues

Cost of Living

Healthcare

Relationship Problems

Paperwork

5. Phases of Adaptation

6. What Can Be Done By HRM?

Training Models for Intercultural Training
Programs focusing on
− Awareness
− Knowledge
− Skills

Help the expatriate understand the culture
of new destination and copine strategies

Coaching on business culture, etiquette,
interpersonal communication, conflic
resolution...

Family guidance – schooling, lifestyle...

7. Benefits of Cross Cultural
Training

Prepares the individual/family mentally

Removes the unknown factor that causes stress

Increases self awareness and cultural
understandning

Opportunity for questions

Motivates and Excites

Eases the process

Most importantly, reduces chances of relocation
failure

8. Repatriation Process

Also very important, because there can be
difficulties in returning to the home country

Returnees are experiencing a reverse
culture shock and this time it can be more
severe than when meeting the host country
and culture.

Repatriation Courses
− Financial planning (taxes, insurance)
− School children's education
− Spouse issues (job search...)
− Social changes