A Multifaceted Approach to Expatriate Retention in International Assignments

Building on the commitment and adjustment literature, this article examines the degree to which dual organizational commitments and multiple facets of cross-cultural adjustment relate to expatriate retention in international assignments. In this study of 321 American expatriates assigned to four countries in the Pacific Rim and four countries in Western Europe, multiple regression analysis found that commitment to the parent company was a positive correlate of intent to stay the full duration of international assignments, whereas commitment to the local company was not related to intent to stay. Additionally, cross-cultural adjustment to interaction with host-country nationals and adjustment to the general culture were both positive correlates of intent to stay; however, adjustment to work was not associated with intent to stay. Implications of these findings for management researchers and practitioners are discussed.