Cross-cultural adjustment : a case of Thai Expatriates in Indonesia

Abstract

The main aim of this research was to empirically examine individual (cultural intelligence and language ability), organizational factor (perceived organizational support) and environmental factor (spouse adjustment) that influenced cross-cultural adjustment and job performance. Also, it is to examine the role of expatriate adjustment as a mediator between individual, organizational, environmental factors and expatriate performance. The study was a quantitative research designed using online questionnaire survey to collect data from 117 Thai expatriates working in Thai multinational companies (MNC) in Indonesia. The data analyzed by using multiple linear regression (SPSS version 22). The results of the study indicated that, firstly, financial perceived organizational support influence positively towards Thai expatriates‟ overall cross-cultural adjustment in Indonesia. This study found that cross-cultural training influenced positively towards Thai expatriates‟ work adjustment and interaction adjustment. Secondly, causal relationship between the predicting variables and Thai expatriates‟ job performance (supervisor rated) was not found. Spouse adjustment and English language ability affected positively intention to complete assignment while Indonesian language ability affected negatively. Thirdly, it was also not found that causal relationship between Thai expatriates‟ job performance (supervisor rated) and overall cross-cultural adjustment. But it was found that work adjustment influenced towards Thai expatriates‟ intention to complete assignment in Indonesia. Finally, the role of expatriate adjustment as a mediator between individual, organizational, environmental factors and expatriate These findings have implications for providing support particularly financial support and cross-cultural training program for Thai expatriate employees to increase their adjustment in Indonesia as well as taking care of English language ability before selecting the employees for overseas assignment and their spouse adjustment that related to intention to complete an assignment.