Chapter 6
International Training and
Development
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Chapter Objectives
Define and contrast between training and development
Explore how the international assignment is a vehicle for
both training and development, as reflected in the
reasons why international assignments continue to play a
strategic role in international business operations.
Examine the role of training in preparing and supporting
personnel on international assignments.
We examine the following issues:
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Chapter Objectives (cont.)
The role of training in supporting expatriate adjustment
and on-assignment performance
Components of effective pre-departure training programs
such as cultural awareness, preliminary visits and
language skills. Relocation assistance and training for
trainers are also addressed
Effectiveness of pre-departure training
Developmental aspect of international assignments and its
relation to international career paths
Training and developing international management teams
Trends in international training and development
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Training and Development
Training aims to Development aims to
improve employees’ increase abilities in
current work skills and relation to some future
behavior positions or jobs.
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International Assignments as a Training
and Development Tool
Expatriates are trainers
Expatriates show how systems and procedures
work, ensure adoption, and monitor performance
of HCNs
International assignments are a form of job
rotation to gain a broader perspective –
management development, and to assist in
developing a pool of capable global operators.
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Figure
6-1
International training and development
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Pre-departure Training Programs
U.S. MNCs were found GMA-GRS 2002
reluctant to provide International Survey :
pre-departure training 64% firms provided at
U.S. firms 32% least a 1-day training
European firms 69% 76% made it optional
Japan 57% Most firms include
Primary reason: family:
Top managers saw it Whole family 33%
as not necessary or Spouse 29%
effective Employee only 2%
No time None 36%
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Table
6-1
Availability of cross-cultural training in MNEs
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Components of Effective Pre-departure
Training
Cultural awareness programs
Preliminary visits
Language training
Practical assistance
Training for the training role
TCN and HCN expatriate training
Non-traditional assignments and training
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Figure The Mendenhall, Dunbar and Oddou
6-2
cross-cultural training model
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Figure Cultural awareness training and assignment
6-3 performance
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Language Training
The role of English as the language of
world business
Host country-language skills and
adjustment
Knowledge of the corporate language
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The Impact of Language on Power
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Shadow Structure Based on Language
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Practical Assistance
Information that assists relocation
Assistance in finding suitable
accommodation and schooling
Further language training
Makes an important contribution to
adaptation of expatriate and accompanying
family members to the host location
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Table Perceived value of cross-cultural preparation
6-2 of expatriates
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Effectiveness of Pre-departure Training
Limited data on how effective such training is and
what components are considered most essential:
Use of mixture of methods makes evaluation of
which method is most effective difficult to isolate
Large diversity of cultures involved
What works for one may not work for another
Complex jobs in multiple cultural contexts
Integrated cross-cultural training exhibited cultural
proficiency earlier and appeared to have greater
job satisfaction than those with lesser training.
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Developing Staff through International
Assignments
Management Development
Individuals gain international experience
which assists career progression
Multinationals gain through having a
pool of experienced operators on which
to draw for future international
assignments
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Developing Staff through International
Assignments
Organizational Development
Accumulating a stock of knowledge,
skills and abilities
Developing a global mindset
Expatriates as agents of direct control
and socialization in the transfer of
knowledge and competence.
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Figure Developing international teams through
6-4 international assignments
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How international teams benefit the
multinational
Fosters innovation, organizational learning
and transfer of knowledge
Assists breaking down of functional and
national boundaries
Encourages diverse inputs
Assists in developing broader perspectives
Develops shared values
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Cross-cultural Training
GMAC 2005 Survey: 73% companies reported
great or high value of
60% provided training
training
for the entire family
29% used CD or web-based
30% for expatriates cross-cultural training
and spouses programs
10% for employees 62% report great or high
alone value of CD or web-based
20% made training
training programs as
alternatives
mandatory
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Trends in internationals training and
development
Convergence from globalization
Divergence towards localization of training
and development
Non-government organizations
The rise of China
To address global, comparative, and local
contexts for effective training and
development programs
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Chapter Summary
This chapter has concentrated on the issues relating to
training and developing expatriates for international
assignments. In the process, we have discussed:
The role of expatriate training in supporting
adjustment and on-assignment performance.
The components of effective pre-departure training
programs such as cultural awareness, preliminary
visits, language skills, relocation assistance and
training for trainers.
(cont.)
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Chapter Summary (cont.)
How cultural awareness training appears to assist in
adjustment and performance and therefore should
be made available to all categories of staff selected
for overseas postings, regardless of duration and
location.
The need for language training for the host country
and in the relevant corporate language.
The impact that an international assignment may
have on an individual’s career.
(cont.)
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Chapter Summary (cont.)
The international assignment as an important way
of training international operators and developing
the international ‘cadre’. In this sense, an
international assignment is both training (gaining
international experience and competence) and
managerial and organizational development.
How international assignments are connected to
the creation of international teams.
Trends in international training and development.
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Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the challenges faced in training expatriate
managers?
2. Assume you are the HR director for a small company that has begun to
use international assignments. You are considering using an external
consulting firm to provide pre-departure training for employees, as you
do not have the resources to provide this ‘in-house’. What components
will you need covered? How will you measure the effectiveness of the
pre-departure training program provided by this external consultant?
3. How does an international assignment assist in developing a ‘cadre’ of
international operators? Why is it necessary to have such a ‘cadre’?
4. Why do some MNEs appear reluctant to provide basic pre-departure
training?
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