MBTI and Expatriates: Do Some MBTI Types Adjust Better in the Expatriate Experience ?

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between a personality indicator and expatriate adjustment in a new culture. Research on expatriates indicate that failed expatriate assignments are costly and numerous. Using personality indicators in expatriate assignments for training is a new and growing research area. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was used as the personality indicator.

The empirical part of this study was based on fifty-three expatriates living in Finland. The expatriates filled in a questionnaire about their adjustment experience. The questionnaire was based on the literature review. Both the questionnaire and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator were administered simultaneously. The results were than compared and tested with the chi-square statistic. The results indicate that some personality types do adjust more readily in an expatriate situation. ENFPs and ENTJs adjusted well. INTJs and ESTJs were the least adjusted. The chi-square statistical test indicated that the S and N dichotomy was the most sensitive to adjustment.

Other findings from this research indicate that expatriates that actively socialize with host nationals and learn the local language adjust better on an expatriate assignment. The degree of family adjustment also plays an important role in the adjustment of the expatriate. Those with more adjusted families also had an adjusted rating from the questionnaire.

The results of this research can be used for cross-cultural training for expatriates in organizations to help them deal with culture shock, stress and other adjustment challenges they face in the expatriate experience. More tailored training for specific individual needs can help increase the success of expatriate assignments.