P/S/24. Social aspects of cross-cultural expatriate adjustment

The aim of the paper is to present a cross-cultural comparison of sociocultural and psychological adjustment amongst expatriates who have moved abroad to work, taking into consideration their level of preparation, age, language ability and culture of origin. The author's objective is to confirm the hypothesis suggesting that the culture of origin has an effect on sociocultural and psychological adjustment. A Literature review of the works by Searle & Ward (1990); Ward & Kennedy (1992); Waxin (2004), etc. showing how an individual copes with the new environment, as well as the works by Selmer (1999) and Ward & Kennedy (1993) devoted to their expatriate experiences provide a conceptual framework for researching into cross-cultural adjustment. The author uses the methods of measurements along sociocultural adjustment scale (SCAS) and the Zungs Self Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS). Over a hundred questionnaires were distributed within Spain, to individuals from East Europe, West Europe, South America and Eastern countries such as India and Pakistan. The results indicated that, as predicted, the culture of origin played a vital role in adjustment, with individuals from the Eastern cultures displaying poorer forms of adjustment. The paper recommends that recruitment and selection routine should be improved in order to accommodate for expatriate employees and ensure that appropriate individuals were given overseas assignments.