ADJUSTMENT OF WESTERN EXPATRIATES IN CHINA. THE SOCIAL CAPITAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The intent of the study is to get to know the adjustment mechanism of Western expatriates in China, particularly in the social capital perspective. The importance of social capitals of western expatriates in China are commonly acknowledges both theoretically and practically. In this research, six major social capitals are found out to be crucial for expatriates and the analysis is made into this six categories : social capital from colleagues in China, social capital from local Chinese, social capital from peer expatriates, social capital from family/relationship, social capital from HQ and MNCs, social capital from other communities or lifestyle. Advice on factors facilitating adjustment in MNCs from social capital perspective is also studied, especially in the three sectors as selection, training and support system within MNC. Overall, all the studies above prove the social capital plays importance role in western expatriates’ adjustment in China, and there are certain social ties they prefer to interact often, and many practical advice on social capital building for better adjustment is analyzed.