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The Preparation, Training and Support Requirements of Expatriate Trailing Spouses

Globe-Trotter Academy
Globe-Trotter Academy
The preparation, training and support requirements of expatriate trailing spouses
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TL;DR:

Trailing spouses accompanying expatriates on international assignments face significant challenges adjusting to new environments. These challenges include culture shock, isolation, navigating different healthcare systems, housing, schooling, and employment. The desired outcome is successful spousal adjustment, leading to reduced expatriate failure rates (premature return or underperformance). Historically, spousal maladjustment has been the primary cause of expatriate failure, a problem recognized since the 1980s (Tung 1982). Despite this, only about 50% of multinational enterprises (MNEs) offer support to trailing spouses, and interest in improving these programs is declining.

Full Study Reference:

Webber, E-L., & Vögel, A.J. (2019). The preparation, training and support requirements of expatriate trailing spouses. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 22(1), a2703.
https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v22i1.2703

One pager Summary:

Main Challenge:

Trailing spouses of expatriates often struggle to adjust to foreign environments, leading to expatriate failure.

Core Issue:

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) do not adequately prepare, train, or support trailing spouses before and during international assignments.

Key Findings:

  • Significant differences exist between the preparation, training, and support trailing spouses need and what MNEs provide.
  • MNEs focus on operational aspects (e.g., relocation logistics) but neglect social and cultural adjustment needs.
  • Spouses need more information on the host country’s culture, customs, and daily life.
  • Cross-cultural training (both objective and subjective) is crucial but often lacking.
  • Employment assistance and social integration support are highly desired by spouses.
  • 91.7% of the trailing spouses in this study were female.
  • 72.9% of the trailing spouses were employed before the assignment, while only 20.6% were employed during the assignment.
  • Trailing spouses in this study were located in 52 countries on 6 continents.

Desired Outcome:

Improved spousal adjustment reduces expatriate failure rates and enhances the success of international assignments.

Call to Action:

MNEs must prioritize and invest in comprehensive support programs for trailing spouses, addressing both practical and social-emotional needs.

Dig Deeper (Long Summary):

Introduction:

The study addresses the persistent problem of expatriate failure, often caused by the inability of trailing spouses to adapt to the host country. Despite decades of research highlighting this issue, many MNEs still fail to adequately support trailing spouses, leading to negative consequences for both the family and the assignment’s success.

Background:

  • Historically, trailing spouses have been identified as the primary reason for expatriate failure.
  • Studies have shown that preparation, training, and support for spouses can significantly improve their adjustment and reduce failure rates.
  • However, MNEs’ interest in providing spousal support is waning, with only 13% expressing interest in improving such programs.

Aim:

The research aims to determine the specific preparation, training, and support requirements of trailing spouses before and during international assignments.

Setting:

The study gathered data from 218 trailing spouses located in 52 countries across six continents.

Methods:

  • Data Collection: A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to trailing spouses.
  • Sampling: Non-probability judgment sampling and snowball sampling were used.
  • Data Analysis: Exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, t-tests, and paired t-tests were employed.

Literature Review:

  • Importance of Spousal Support:
    • Spousal support and adjustment are critical for expatriate success.
  • Preparation Requirements:
    • Information on the host country’s culture, living standards, and daily life.
    • Orientation visits to the host country.
    • Relocation, housing, and placement assistance.
  • Training Requirements:
    • Cross-cultural training (objective and subjective characteristics).
    • Language training.
    • Social competence and networking skills development.
  • Support Requirements:
    • Social support from the MNE and host nationals.
    • Employment assistance for dual-career couples.
    • Mentoring, expatriate communities, social gatherings, and other forms of social integration.

Results:

  • Demographic Profile: The sample consisted primarily of female spouses (91.7%), aged 41-50 (35.3%), with varying levels of adjustment to the host country. Most were employed before the assignment but unemployed during.
  • Factor Analysis: The study identified distinct factors related to preparation, training, and support required and provided.
  • Reliability: The measurement tool demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70 for all factors).
  • Preparation: Significant differences were found between required and provided preparation across all five measured variables. The largest discrepancy was in information sessions on cultural differences.
  • Training: Significant differences were found between required and provided training across all four measured variables. The largest discrepancies were in objective and subjective cross-cultural training.
  • Support: Significant differences were found between required and provided support across all measured variables. The largest gap was in employment counseling.

Discussion:

  • MNEs are still falling short: Despite awareness of the importance of spousal support, MNEs are not meeting the preparation, training, and support needs of trailing spouses.
  • Focus on operational aspects: MNEs tend to prioritize operational aspects of relocation over social and cultural adjustment needs.
  • Information gap: Spouses need more information about the host country’s culture and daily life.
  • Cross-cultural training is crucial: Both objective and subjective cross-cultural training are highly desired but often lacking.
  • Employment assistance is vital: With the rise of dual-career couples, employment support for spouses is critical. The largest gap identified between the support required by trailing spouses and what was provided to them by MNEs was for ’employment counselling’.
  • Social integration is key: Spouses need support in building social networks and integrating into the host community.
  • Informal mentoring preferred: While formal mentoring was the least required social support, informal mentoring through expatriate networks was highly valued.

Limitations:

  • Under-representation of certain regions (North America, Oceania, South America).
  • The study only focused on currently expatriated trailing spouses.

Conclusion:

The study confirms that MNEs are not adequately addressing the preparation, training, and support needs of trailing spouses, despite the known impact on expatriate success. MNEs must shift their focus from primarily operational aspects to include comprehensive support that addresses the social, cultural, and emotional needs of spouses. This includes providing detailed information about the host country, offering cross-cultural and language training, assisting with employment, and facilitating social integration. By investing in robust spousal support programs, MNEs can improve spousal adjustment, reduce expatriate failure rates, and enhance the overall success of international assignments. The ultimate vision is a future where trailing spouses are fully integrated into the expatriation process, receiving the support they need to thrive in their new environments, leading to successful assignments and fulfilled families.