The house makes a difference in expatriate assignment success

Housing is often seen as a necessary aspect to be arranged for expatriates.  Something to be taken care of quickly so they can then focus on the business needs.   And perhaps you may be thinking the house itself is less important but the location or the size of the house is more important.

Well you would be wrong!

Recent research conducted by Dr Anne Copeland of The Interchange Institute reviewed the links between expatriate housing decisions and aspects such as overall assignment satisfaction, loyalty to employer, decision to continue in the assignment or take another assignment as well as the mental health and well-being of the expatriates.

The choice of home was seen to significantly impact on these variables.  Those who felt they had chosen the “right” home and would pick the same home again were more loyal to the employer, were happier with the assignment, felt more settled and had better mental health than those who were less positive about their choice of home. 

And what were the factors in the home itself which were relevant?

Interestingly one of the most significant factors was a hidden factor to the participants in the study. Those in houses which encouraged increased interaction among the family members – described in the study as centripetal style – consistently rated the assignment more positively than those who had chosen a more isolating, (centrifugal style) housing which provided separate spaces and more room for family members.  Many in the more isolating/centrifugal style houses commented positively on how they were enjoying the larger house or having their own space.  BUT their ratings of the assignment were significantly lower than those in the centripetal style houses.

This could be a factor of the house encouraging communication among family members and enhancing the family support network which acts as a positive factor in building resilience.  Increased communication also enables sharing of things learnt and discovered about the new location as well as safe strategizing opportunities about how to act and interact with the new society.

Families are critical to the success of an expatriate assignment.  This study has shown how the house can support the family. 

Other ways to support family include providing training and coaching for family members as well as the working partner. 

To learn more about how to support your expatriates as they adjust to living overseas contact Trisha.