Critical Success Factors For Managing Overseas Projects: Cross-Cultural Adjustment Of Chinese Expatriates In Tanzania

Globalization,liberalization and technological advancement have transformed the economic and business environment in the world,which has led to companies increasingly engage in international operations.Consequently,more project expats being sent on overseas operations than ever before so as to sustain competitive edge.The current study aimed to examine critical cross-cultural factors that influence expatriates' adjustment while managing overseas project,focused on adjustment of Chinese expatriates in Tanzania.Data were collected using questionnaires as a main tool,which comprised of 5-point and 7-point Likert-type scale.Descriptive,correlations and regression analyses were employed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences as a tool of analysis to identify facets affecting cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates in Tanzania.Results revealed that language proficiency,living conditions and relationships with host nationals are the most important factors for expatriate general adjustment.While technical competency,pre-departure cross-cultural training and pre-knowledge about host country culture were found to be important for work adjustment.On the side of interaction adjustment,this study found that willingness to communicate and interact with host nationals are the key factors.Of interest,previous overseas experience had no significant relation with expatriates' adjustment in the host country.The current study concluded that,success factors related to effective adjustment of expatriate in overseas project operations includes:training to close any knowledge gaps related to host country culture;acknowledgement of cultural and language differences among project team members.Also,mutual relationship between expatriates and host nationals;mutual understanding between team members' cultural and personal attributes;develop empathy and tolerance toward cultural differences,as well as the degree of expatiates' knowledge on the beliefs and values of foreign counterparts.The study recommended that multinational companies should provide their experts with appropriate cross-cultural trainings so that they can develop sensitivity to cultural differences and appreciate the existence of difference among people.Special seminars and workshops should be designed and included either in the Strategic Plan of the company or as a package in every overseas project.As for individual expatriates,they should learn and recognize similarities and differences in culture and values,and be more familiar with intercultural contact and communication.