Expatriates as catalysts: what and how Vietnamese locals learn from self-initiated expatriates

Abstract

PurposeIn an era when expatriates are increasingly used as strategic conduits for developing capabilities in local business units, we identify what and how host-country nationals in a developing economy learn from self-initiated expatriates whose assignments focus on organizational capacity development objectives.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews with 23 Vietnamese host-country nationals rendered a sample of 138 learning episodes for qualitative content analysis. Respondents were employed in Vietnamese government and non-government organizations and worked closely with multiple self-initiated expatriates in a variety of professional contexts.FindingsHost-country nationals develop a broad array of primarily “soft” capabilities. This learning is typically informal and vicarious in nature. While learning tends to arise incidentally through day-to-day activities, host-country nationals facilitate this by structuring their formal and informal interactions with expatriates to maximize their learning potential.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the study's exploratory design and specific context limit the transferability of our results, analysis of a sample of specific learning episodes allowed us to map “hotspots” of particular activities and contexts in which certain learning outcomes transpired.Practical implicationsOur results put into sharp focus the overlooked roles of expatriates as models (to be observed), mentors (to be consulted) and collaborators (to be partnered with) who can catalyse valued learning opportunities for local colleagues.Originality/valueWe provide a comprehensive account of the nature and extent of informal learning that host-country nationals accumulate during interactions with expatriates, and so contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of host-country nationals in international business.

The Role of Extraversion and Openness on Host Country Nationals’ Task Performance and Contextual Performance at Work

“… 21 Specifically, we examined how socialization self-efficacy could help HCNs more readily interact frequently with their expatriate colleagues, who are likely to have different cultural backgrounds and beliefs. 13 We found that socialization self-efficacy moderated the mediated effect of extraversion on the task performance through the frequency of interactions. The effect of socialization self-efficacy on the relationship between extraversion and task performance was strengthened when socialization self-efficacy was high vs when it was low.…”

Host country nationals' interaction adjustment as a social exchange: A theoretical model

“…Their research draws attention to the contributions these HCNs make to both the HCN workforce and the expatriate (Vance et al, 2009) and to the types of conditions that can support their individual and collective learning (Vance & Paik, 2005). Building on this, subsequent studies (Fee, 2020;Fee & Gray, 2020) have shown how HCNs draw on support from fellow HCNs to manage their interactions with expatriates and the substantial learning that arises from the need to "adjust practices […] as a direct result" of these (Fee, 2020, p. 40;Fee & Gray, 2020;Fee & Michailova, 2020). Although HCNs' networks of relationships with co-workers may not necessarily increase the frequency of their contact with expatriates-indeed, in some circumstances, these relationships may usurp HCNs' dependence on expatriates-a learning-supportive organizational environment creates conditions conducive to HCNs retrieving important complementary resources to assist the process of internalizing cognitive changes and reproducing (learned) behaviors arising from their exchanges with expatriates (Bandura, 1977); such as opportunities to observe, collaborate and discuss new practices and ideas (Fee & Gray, 2020).…”

A Comparison Analysis Between Pre-departure and Transitioned Expat-Preneurs

“… Froese and Peltokorpi (2013) and Fee and Gray (2020) highlight that the demand for SIEs is on the rise, especially in Europe and Asia ( McNulty et al, 2013 ). In addition, skilled SIEs constitute a valuable asset to the worldwide economy ( Doherty and Dickmann, 2008 ; Fairlie, 2010 ; Hussain et al, 2019 ).…”