The expatriate adjustment process: Implications of the cross-cultural context on learning the environment following a work-role transition

This dissertation research examined the impact that the international context has on transition adjustment, particularly with respect to learning the new environment. In response to concerns about previous research, a longitudinal design that incorporated a comparison group of same-culture transitioners was used to examine relevant hypotheses.; In general, it appears that cross-culture transitioners experience a greater magnitude of learning (especially for the non-work environment) and greater complexity in the learning task (especially when interpreting host-culture behavior).; While this research was unable to provide evidence that surprise is a mediator of expatriate adjustment, it does suggest that surprise, especially in combination with reactions to surprise is a significant predictor of adjustment. Cultural distance, experience in the host culture and pre-departure preparation and training were all associated with the level of surprise reported.