PERSONAL AND WORK CROSS-CULTURAL ACCLIMATION OF MALAYSIAN EXPATRIATES IN CONSTRUCTION MULTINATIONAL INDUSTRY: A RECOMMENDED MODEL

Abstract

The challenge of adapting to a new environment is one of the issues that leads to expatriates' poor performance. What contributes to the success of an individual in a workplace is the psycho-social comfort that is prevalent in the new environment. Diversity of culture, race and religion in an organisation is acceptable when there is tolerance. The study aims to develop a new model of cross-cultural work adjustments for Malaysian professional expatriates. The presence of two or more different cultures with different ideas and customs in the same organisation need to be acceptable to its members, depending on their level of tolerance. The present research has found that adjusting to the host's national custom or culture, religious practice, and kinds of entertainment are among the elements that influence the personal and work cross-cultural adjustments of expatriates. The research method used for this study is the content analysis by reviewing forty-two articles. A prescriptive model on factors that contribute to expatriate adjustment is proposed. Organisations could use the findings of the research to take necessary actions to reduce the propensity of professionals leaving their home companies abroad. Suggestions and recommendations are provided for the companies to improve so that Malaysian professional expatriates will remain in the companies that they are working for.