By Group 4

Career Anxiety The effect of an international assignment on an expatriates career path are major concerns for that individual. Usually, an international assignment is accepted because of its anticipated career benefits . Anxiety may arise if an expatriate feels that his or her career advancement opportunities are not commensurate with the sacrifices made by the expatriate and his or her family as a consequence of acceptance of the assignment . Period of absence from the home country has caused loss of visibility, isolation and feeling of being forgotten for the expatriate, especially if he or she is based in a subsidiary unit with lots or independence and comparatively little contact with the organizations headquarters. Worry about restructuring and/or downsizing measures underway in an organization . Lack of a guaranteed job upon return to the parent organization Worry that the position given or return corresponds to a demotion.

Devaluation of the Intern. Experience Negative career progression-Expatriates are often confronted with being offered reentry positions that appear unconnected with their international experience Sometimes returning expatriates are offered positions that are less challenging and with reduced responsibility and status than they had prior to going on their foreign assignment.

Transition -expatriate and his or her family readjust to their return to the home country, include acquiring temporary accommodation, making arrangements for housing and schooling, performing necessary administrative tasks (e.g. renewing drivers license, applying for medical insurance, opening bank accounts). Assistance in the form of a MENTOR- usually a superior to the expatriate provides assistance in the form of information, by maintaining regular contact with the expatriate, and by taking the expatriates interests regarding promotion and job placement on return etc. into account

Loss of Status and Pay International assignments often are associated with considerable status and prestige for an expatriate, for e.g. in terms of autonomy, more responsibility and a prominent role in the local community . Returning to the parent organization usually results in the loss of autonomy and status. After returning from an international assignment, an expatriate may no longer be able to purchase a home similar to the one he or she may have sold prior to going on the international assignment. Also, the standard of housing in the foreign assignment location may have been better than on return to the home country Social Considerations If an expatriate served in a foreign assignment in a high-profile position where he or she enjoyed considerable and sustained interaction with the social, economic and political elites of the host country, a feeling of disappointment may emerge after return to the home country. This feeling may be exacerbated by the loss of the expatriate compensation premium and other benefits.

In addition to the expatriates social readjustment problems, the social readjustment problems of his or her accompanying family members must also be taken into consideration as well Reestablishment of social networks in the home country may be difficult if, for e.g., the expatriate and family are repatriated to another locality in the home country. It may be that friends have moved away while the expatriate was on assignment and that other friends may have joined the workforce and have no time for social activities. Children may encounter social readjustment problems in school because they are not update on latest trends, and may have problems adjusting to their home country educational system.

Effect on Partners Career Partners of expatriates may encounter problems in the home country when they seek to enter or reenter the workforce. Consequently, their self-esteem may decline, hindering their readjustment, particularly if they were employed prior to moving with the expatriate to the foreign assignment location.

Going Abroad to Ecuador:

Willingness to Move: Spouse Career, Childrens Education

Length of Assignment: Affected by unhappy spouse

Inability to Adjust: Frustration which led to failure

Direct: Airfares Relocation Expenses Salaries Trainings Indirect: Loss of market share Difficulties with Host government officials Brand image

The

spouse's inability to adjust to a different physical or cultural environment Spouses Social Life Childrens education The employee's inability to adjust. (The employee's personal or emotional immaturity)
Other

family problems

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Adjusting to foreign culture Concerns about their mates performance at work Childrens education Stage of the family life-cycle Government restrictions on their employment Financial Concerns ( Dual Career Couples)

Select the right person Offer Pre-departure training programs Provide Support services Short-term assignments

Spousal career assistance

Job search assistance Inter-company networking Career counseling and support

Finding suitable schools Additional orientation programs

Language training

Extended business trips

Range from several months to one year

Commute from home country on a regular basis Manages from home-base

Commuter expatriate assignments

Virtual expatriate assignments