Why solidarity matters (and sociability doesn't): The effects of perceived organizational culture on expatriation adjustment

• Published in: Thunderbird international business review Vol. 53; no. 3; pp. 377 - 389
• Main Authors: Pinto, Luisa Helena, Cabral-Cardoso, Carlos, Werther Jr, William B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.05.2011; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Adjustment; Corporate culture; Cross cultural studies; Expatriates; Manycountries; Organizational behavior; Socialization
• ISSN: 1096-4762; 1520-6874
• DOI: 10.1002/tie.20415

This study examines the relationship between perceived organizational culture and cross‐cultural adjustment. Using the organizational culture framework of Goffee and Jones (1996, 1998) that describes organizational culture as the intersection of sociability (e.g., the level of friendliness and socialization between organization members) and solidarity (e.g., the commonality of interests and goals among organization members), this research examines home and host organizational culture as they affect expatriation adjustment regardless of culture novelty (e.g., national cultural differences). The data were obtained through a self‐administered questionnaire filled in by 166 expatriates from 29 nationalities and assigned to 39 countries. The analyses showed that perceived home and host solidarity predicts expatriates' work and general adjustment, though not interactional adjustment. These results confirm that perceived organizational culture is a predictor of expatriation cross‐cultural adjustment. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.