Cross-Cultural Adjustment of Self-Initiated Dual-Career Expatriate Spouses

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of the study is to identify cross-cultural adjustment issues of self-initiated dual-career expatriate spouses and the factors influencing this process. Design/methodology/approach - For this in-depth explanatory study semi-structured interviews were carried out among 10 self-initiated dual-career expatriate spouses. Findings - The study provides the insight of how dual-career SIE couples perceive their adjustment and suggests comprehensive explanation of the main adjustment issues. Practical implications – A comprehensive understanding of dual-career SIE spouses’ adjustment issues is invaluable in helping organizations to attract and retain these particular expatriates. The findings of the study allow organizations to develop different levels of cross-cultural adjustment support mechanisms for the SIEs and their spouses. Originality/value - The study offers a potential contribution to the field of international business as well as represents a major gap in the existing cross-cultural adjustment literature. Present and future SIEs may use the results of the study as a framework to better comprehend to the challenges that their spouses encounter during the cross-cultural adjustment process in the host country environment.