Global Advanced Research Journal of Management and Business Studies (ISSN: 2315-5086) June 2015 Vol. 4(6), pp 248-258

Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals   

Original Research Articles

Culture Shock and Its effects on Expatriates

Aisha Naeem¹,  Ali Bin Nadeem²,  Irfan Ullah Khan³

¹Centre of Excellence in Technology and Engineering Management, Islamabad, Pakistan

²Centre of Excellence in Technology and Engineering Management, Islamabad, Pakistan

³Centre of Excellence in Technology and Engineering Management, Islamabad, Pakistan

Corresponding author Email: ifraan16@gmail.com

Accepted 03 June 2015

Abstract 

This research is a study about the phenomenon of culture shock and the influence it has on expatriates who are deployed on assignments in countries all over the world. It talks about the psychological and emotional effects of culture shock on these expatriates and their journey throughout their assignments. The purpose of the study is to provide an in-depth view of the life of expatriates experiencing culture shock and dealing with it on a day to day basis.  The research makes use of qualitative research methods by undertaking structured open-ended written interviews amongst expatriates from two groups. The first consists of expatriates situated in countries all over the world, working for an international government organization. The second consists of expatriates from a shipping organization in Glasgow, Scotland. Some expatriates are still on assignment and talk about their experiences, while others talk about the overall expatriate experiences of their careers. The expatriates make up a wide range of nationalities and the research is diverse in its nature.  The results of the research reveal that culture shock is a raging phenomenon affecting almost every expatriate undertaking foreign assignment and has left them with both positive and negative experiences for life. It highlights the attitudes and nature of people from different cultures and shows how distinct people really are. The findings reveal the experiences of expatriates and the facts they reveal about the effects of culture shock on them and their families. The research shows the fundamental aspects of human nature and cultural values and the fact that human beings vary in every different aspect of life, yet are so similar in so many others. It is an insight into values, social norms, ethics, cultural aspects and religious associations of people from a wide range of countries and how expatriates experience this variety, while also struggling to cope with the various effects that are associated with it

Keywords: Culture Shock, Expatriates, Organizations.