9.2 Cultural adjustment and reverse culture shock

Adapting to new cultures is crucial for expatriates. Cultural adjustment involves navigating unfamiliar norms, dealing with culture shock, and overcoming challenges in foreign environments. Understanding this process helps expats thrive in their assignments and contribute effectively to their organizations.

Reverse culture shock, often overlooked, can be just as challenging. Returning home after extended periods abroad can lead to unexpected difficulties readjusting. Recognizing and preparing for this phenomenon is key for successful repatriation and long-term career development in international business.

Cultural adjustment and reverse culture shock

Understanding Cultural Adjustment

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• Cultural adjustment involves adapting to a new cultural environment through psychological and behavioral changes to function effectively in unfamiliar settings
• Culture shock emerges during cultural adjustment manifesting as disorientation, anxiety, and confusion when encountering unfamiliar cultural norms (different greetings, dining etiquette)
• Reverse culture shock occurs when individuals return to their home culture after extended periods abroad experiencing unexpected difficulties readjusting to their native environment
• U-curve and W-curve models illustrate typical emotional stages experienced during cultural adjustment and repatriation respectively
  • U-curve: honeymoon, crisis, adjustment, mastery
  • W-curve: adds repatriation stage to U-curve
• Factors influencing cultural adjustment include:
  • Individual personality traits (openness, flexibility)
  • Prior cross-cultural experiences (study abroad, international travel)
  • Cultural distance between home and host cultures (Western expatriate in Japan vs. Australia)
  • Level of social support (local friends, expatriate communities)

Stages of Cultural Adjustment

• Honeymoon stage characterized by initial excitement and fascination with the new culture often accompanied by unrealistic expectations
  • Example: Expatriate in Paris marveling at architecture and cuisine
• Crisis or culture shock stage involves frustration, anxiety, and homesickness as cultural differences become more apparent and challenging
  • Example: Struggling with language barriers or unfamiliar social norms
• Adjustment stage occurs when expatriates develop coping strategies and a more balanced perspective on the host culture
  • Example: Learning local customs and building a routine
• Adaptation or mastery stage reached when individuals function effectively in the new culture having developed cultural competence and a sense of belonging
  • Example: Navigating public transportation confidently or participating in local events
• Repatriation stage involves readjusting to the home culture upon return which can be unexpectedly challenging
  • Example: Feeling disconnected from friends or struggling with reverse culture shock
• Each stage's duration and intensity varies significantly among individuals depending on personal and situational factors
  • Example: Extroverted individuals may adapt more quickly in social settings

Stages of cultural adjustment

Expatriate Adjustment Process

• Honeymoon stage marked by initial excitement and fascination with new culture often accompanied by unrealistic expectations
  • Example: Enjoying exotic foods and sightseeing in the host country
• Crisis or culture shock stage involves feelings of frustration, anxiety, and homesickness as cultural differences become more apparent and challenging
  • Example: Struggling with different work expectations or communication styles
• Adjustment stage occurs when expatriates begin to develop coping strategies and a more balanced perspective on the host culture
  • Example: Finding favorite local restaurants or establishing a social routine
• Adaptation or mastery stage reached when individuals can function effectively in the new culture having developed cultural competence and a sense of belonging
  • Example: Successfully negotiating business deals or forming close friendships with locals
• Repatriation stage often overlooked involves readjusting to the home culture upon return which can be unexpectedly challenging
  • Example: Feeling out of place in familiar surroundings or struggling to reconnect with old friends

Factors Influencing Adjustment

• Personal characteristics impact adjustment process including:
  • Openness to new experiences
  • Emotional stability
  • Cultural intelligence
• Previous international experience often facilitates smoother adjustment in subsequent assignments
  • Example: Prior study abroad experience helping with language acquisition
• Cultural distance between home and host cultures affects adjustment difficulty
  • Example: U.S. expatriate may find it easier to adjust to the UK than to Japan
• Job-related factors influence adjustment including:
  • Role clarity
  • Autonomy
  • Relationship with local colleagues
• Family adjustment plays crucial role in expatriate success
  • Example: Spouse's ability to adapt affecting overall family well-being
• Organizational support significantly impacts adjustment process
  • Example: Pre-departure training and on-site mentoring programs

Coping with culture shock

Developing Cultural Intelligence

• Enhance cultural intelligence (CQ) through education and training on host culture's norms, values, and communication styles
  • Example: Attending cross-cultural workshops or language classes
• Practice active observation and reflection to understand cultural nuances
  • Example: Keeping a journal to record and analyze cultural experiences
• Cultivate curiosity and openness towards different cultural perspectives
  • Example: Engaging in conversations with locals about their traditions
• Develop metacognitive CQ to plan, monitor, and adjust cultural strategies
  • Example: Setting goals for cultural learning and regularly assessing progress

Building Support Networks

• Establish connections with both local contacts and fellow expatriates to share experiences and provide emotional support
  • Example: Joining expatriate clubs or local community groups
• Maintain open communication with home office and family members to manage expectations and stay connected
  • Example: Regular video calls or email updates
• Seek out cultural mentors or buddies in the host country
  • Example: Participating in language exchange programs
• Engage in cultural immersion activities to deepen understanding and appreciation of the host culture
  • Example: Attending local festivals or trying traditional activities

Self-Care and Stress Management

• Practice self-care through regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and stress-management techniques
  • Example: Joining a local gym or practicing yoga
• Maintain familiar routines or hobbies from home culture when possible
  • Example: Continuing to read books in native language
• Set realistic goals and expectations for cultural adjustment
  • Example: Recognizing that fluency in a new language takes time
• Seek professional counseling or coaching when needed to address severe culture shock or adjustment difficulties
  • Example: Utilizing employee assistance programs or local therapists

Cultural adjustment impact on performance

Job Performance and Productivity

• Degree of cultural adjustment directly influences expatriate's job performance with poor adjustment often leading to decreased productivity and effectiveness
  • Example: Struggling to meet deadlines due to misunderstanding of local work pace
• Successfully adjusted expatriates demonstrate higher levels of job satisfaction and organizational commitment
  • Example: Feeling motivated to contribute innovative ideas in team meetings
• Cultural adjustment affects expatriate's ability to build relationships with local colleagues and clients impacting collaboration and business outcomes
  • Example: Forming strong partnerships with local suppliers due to cultural understanding
• Stress associated with cultural adjustment can lead to increased absenteeism, health issues, and premature return to home country if not managed effectively
  • Example: Experiencing frequent headaches or digestive problems due to adjustment stress

Cross-Cultural Leadership and Decision-Making

• Successful cultural adjustment enhances expatriate's capacity for cross-cultural leadership and decision-making in diverse environments
  • Example: Effectively managing a multicultural team by adapting leadership style
• Well-adjusted expatriates demonstrate improved problem-solving skills in complex cultural situations
  • Example: Navigating delicate negotiations with consideration for local business practices
• Cultural adjustment contributes to development of global mindset and cultural empathy
  • Example: Considering multiple cultural perspectives when developing marketing strategies
• Positive cultural adjustment experiences contribute to development of global competencies benefiting both individual and organization in long term
  • Example: Applying insights from international assignment to improve global operations

Organizational Impact

• Speed and quality of cultural adjustment impact overall success and return on investment of international assignments for multinational corporations
  • Example: Faster adjustment leading to quicker achievement of business objectives
• Well-adjusted expatriates serve as effective knowledge transfer agents between headquarters and subsidiaries
  • Example: Sharing best practices from host country to improve global processes
• Successful cultural adjustment of expatriates enhances company's reputation and relationships in host country
  • Example: Building positive brand image through culturally sensitive community engagement
• Expatriate adjustment influences retention rates and willingness to accept future international assignments
  • Example: Well-adjusted employees more likely to volunteer for subsequent overseas postings