Assessing the impact of cross-cultural communication competence on expatriate business operations in multinational corporations of a Sub-Saharan African context

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of cross-cultural communication competence (CCC) on expatriates’ work outcomes in emerging economies. Using a convergent parallel design methodology of data collection comprising an in-depth face-to-face interview with 21 expatriate executives, and a quantitative survey of 204 expatriates in various subsidiaries in Ghana, a structural equation modeling and a content analysis were the basis of data analysis. Findings suggest that host country culture is related to CCC. Additionally, expatriates’ CCC is influenced by multicultural team effectiveness and their interpersonal skills. The work recommends training of expatriates in cross-cultural communication for subsidiary assignments.

Effects of predeparture and postarrival cross‐cultural trainings on expatriates adjustment: A study of Chinese expatriates in Nigeria

“…A different but related study by Zhang and Peltokorpi (2016) found that expatriate host country language proficiency has multifaceted effects on expatriates' work and nonwork adjustment. In other related studies, Abugre, Williams, and Debrah (2019); Abugre, Yaw, and Debrah (2019) found that cross‐cultural communication significantly determines expatriate adjustment. Overall, based on the review of the related literature summarized above, it is likely that the ability of Chinese expatriates to speak and communicate effectively in English will positively affect their adjustment to Nigeria.…”

“…Much research has been conducted on CCT and expatriate adjustment (Caligiuri et al, 2001; Lai & Yang, 2017; Mendenhall et al, 2004; Morris & Robie, 2001; Selmer, 2005; Wang et al, 2017; Waxin & Panaccio, 2005; Wurtz, 2014). Our review of the literature on CCT and expatriate adjustment shows that there is a lack of research on this topic when it comes to Africa and Nigeria, with the notable exceptions of some exploratory studies (Abugre, Williams, & Debrah, 2019; Abugre, Yaw, & Debrah, 2019; Okpara, 2016; Okpara & Kabongo, 2011, 2017). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical research study investigating the influence of predeparture and postarrival CCT on the adjustment of Chinese expatriates in Nigeria.…”

The effects of perceived organisational support on expatriate adjustment, assignment completion and job satisfaction

“…This can have damaging consequences for both the expatriate and the multinational company (Bhaskar-Shrinivas et al, 2005;Takeuchi, 2010). Indeed, cross-cultural adjustment and interaction have been acknowledged as critical factors that significantly affect expatriate assignment outcomes (Abugre and Debrah, 2019;Lee and Kartika, 2014;Sokro and Moeti-Lysson, 2018). Expatriate adjustment refers to the adaptation process of expatriates in relation to living and working in their host countries (Black and Gregersen, 1991).…”

“…In addition, other scholars have investigated how expatriates from different cultures transition and adapt to the African culture (e.g. Abugre and Debrah, 2019;Abugre et al, 2020;Okpara and Kabongo, 2011) yet little is known about the support they receive from the organisation which is crucial for their adjustment.…”

Analyzing the employment of expatriates as high-performance workers in terms of their impact on selected areas of the company.

“…Several studies have focused on investigating the factors determining the level of adjustment of expatriates, one of which was the training of expatriates [20]. Authors report that effective expatriates should be able to understand the host country's dynamic environment and employ the host society's tacit knowledge [21].…”