A new approach to expatriate effectiveness: A perspective-taking model for global assignments

To perform exceptionally well in global assignments, expatriates must understand the importance of proactive cognitive processes such as perspective-taking. Perspective-taking refers to a cognitive process that involves seeing the world from another person¡-s viewpoint. We present a framework that delineates how the perspective-taking process leads to an followers¡^--s overall effectiveness. We provide propositions about which factors motivate expatriates to engage in active perspective-taking, and which factors influence higher accuracy of understanding of the host country nationals (HCNs) perspective. Our model then incorporates contact theory as the link between perspective-taking and an followers¡^--s overall effectiveness. One significant contribution our model makes to the expatriate literature is the integration of a new construct, perspective-taking. This extends the expatriate literature by examining a new construct that may explain expatriate effectiveness. Thus, we take a new approach and focus on expatriates¡- effectiveness rather than focusing on reducing stressors in order to attain increased adjustment. This research has the potential to open new areas for future research in the expatriate domain.