General Adjustment Influence Factor of Malaysian Construction Expatriates Executives Abroad

¹ Town and Regional Planning Department, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Perak, Malaysia
² Quantity Surveying Department, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Perak, Malaysia

^a Corresponding author: halmi461@perak.uitm.edu.my

Abstract

The success of Malaysian construction companies creates an opportunity to explore abroad. Past studies have shown that the difficulty of expatriates in adjusting to a new environment is the main aspect that leads to failure of assignments. The success in implementing an overseas assignment does not solely depend on an expatriate’s technical expertise. The adjustment issues such as the interaction with the host nationals, and adaptability to the host country’s culture also exert influence on the assignment. The research was conducted to identify the influence of executive expatriate general adjustment on assignment in host countries. The objective of the study was to identify adjustment influence factors relating to general adjustment abroad. Questionnaires were sent to Malaysian expatriate executives. Sixty four Malaysian expatriate executives from Malaysian construction companies overseas were involved in this study. The findings show interaction, social and living environment influences their adjustment during expatriation. Pre-departure training preparation aspects for expatriates is a good step before their departure to host countries.