Cultural distance and expatriates’ psychological adjustment: the moderating role of perceived social supports
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 20 December 2021
Issue publication date: 31 October 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between cultural distance and psychological adjustment of expatriates in Nigeria and perceived social supports moderating the relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a cross-sectional survey research design. Data were collected through 236 validly filled questionnaires by expatriates working in different industries in Nigeria. The research variables were measured using appropriate validated scales developed by different experts. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to establish the relationships among the variables.
Findings
The study found that the distance between expatriates’ home and Nigeria on each of the dimensions of cultural values: power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance cultural value, long-term orientation and indulgence negatively influence the psychological adjustment of the expatriates in Nigeria. The study demonstrated that the larger the distance between expatriates’ home and Nigeria's cultural values, the larger the difficulties in the psychological adjustment of expatriates in the country.
Practical implications
This study provides useful insights and a better understanding to both present and future global human resource practitioners, multinational organizations, international institutions and local organizations operating in Nigeria with a global mindset on the cultural profiles of expatriates that are critical to adjust to working, social interactions and living environments in Nigeria.
Originality/value
It provides practical guidance to global human resource practitioners and employers on dimensions of cultural values distance between Nigeria and the home countries of expatriates that should be considered when deciding on, searching for, selecting, recruiting and relocating expatriates to work and live in Nigeria.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The researchers do not receive any financial supports from anybody or institutions.
Citation
Akhimien, O.G. and Adekunle, S.A. (2023), "Cultural distance and expatriates’ psychological adjustment: the moderating role of perceived social supports", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 1841-1866. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-06-2021-2817
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited