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Part of
Intercultural Experience in Narrative: Expatriate stories from a multicultural workplace
Michał Wilczewski
[Studies in Narrative 26] 2019
► pp. 319–325

Index

A

  • access
    • to information 44, 95, 145, 152, 161, 167, 186, 186–187, 190, 242, 248
    • to experience 57, 60, 113
    • to local knowledge 76, 190, 161, 166, 255
    • to colleagues/social networks 103, 106, 173, 186–187, 190, 243–244, 248, 255
  • accommodation[see adjustment]
  • acculturation[see adjustment]
  • adaptationsee also integrative theory of intercultural adaptation 88–91, 247 [see adjustment]
  • adaptive personality 89–90 ; see also perceived personality 240–241 ; see also personality dimensions 64–65
  • adjustment 3, 81–108
    • affective 86, 104
    • cognitive86
    • behavioral86
    • general/cultural84
    • interactional 84, 93–94, 242–243
    • intercultural 73, 86–88, 95–97, 99, 101, 103–106, 248
    • psychological 84, 97
    • sociocultural84
    • work 84–85, 96, 100, 102–103, 105–107, 162, 226, 245, 249
  • American anthropology29
  • anagnorisis122see also discovery 58, 122, 171, 195, 211
  • antenarrative 52–53 ; see also narrative 50–52, 54–56, 58, 61–62
  • anthropocentric
    • perspective of human communication39
    • theory of human languages39
  • applied linguistics 16, 21, 39, 46, 260
  • assigned expatriate 27–28 ; see also expatriate 2, 26–29
  • assignee(s) 26, 28, 63–64, 69
  • assimilation[see adjustment]
  • attitudes toward HCNs 62, 86, 97, 139, 166, 193, 230, 233, 237, 243–245, 249
  • attributional conflicts41see also behavioral conflicts41see also interpretational conflicts41
  • autocratic managerial style127see also management style 196–198, 200–205, 218, 221–223, 235–236
  • axial coding121see also coding121

B

  • behavioral
    • adjustment86see also adjustment 3, 81–108
    • conflicts41see also attributional conflicts41see also interpretational conflicts41
  • behavioral, cognitive, and affective adjustment model86
  • bureaucratic procedures 175, 188, 249
  • business expatriate 26–29

C

  • “cultural similarity paradox”104
  • capabilities approach64
  • case studies 14, 18, 46, 112, 115, 130, 259
  • China 2, 20, 116–119, 124–130, 132–134, 165, 210–211, 221–223, 258–260
  • Chinese
    • business contexts189
    • managers 100, 134-135, 176, 178–180, 185–196, 204–207, 214, 216–220, 224, 226
    • organizational structure127see also local (organizational) structure 44, 178, 187–188, 191, 209–211, 228–232, 234–235, 237, 245 ; see also organizational structure and procedures 178, 240, 249
    • people 67–68, 126–127, 138, 142, 152, 160, 163–164, 189–190, 207, 211, 216, 219, 223–224, 226, 230–232, 245
  • coding
    • axial121
    • initial121
    • focused121
  • cognitive
    • adjustment86see also adjustment 3, 81–108
    • perspective (of cultural learning)65
  • collectivism 33–34, 312–315
  • common ground 45, 64, 207, 220 ; see also cultural common ground 168, 233
  • communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39 see also human communication 38–39 see also inter-discourse communication 40–41 see also international/transnational communication40see also strategies for effective communication 146–151
    • as a socially grounded process of sharing meanings 36–38
    • barriers 41, 137, 139–140, 162
    • challenges 137–146, 160–161, 260
    • competence 257, 315
    • difficulties 139, 146, 260
    • flow(s) 43, 144–145
    • in non-work contexts 137–142, 159, 165, 242
    • in the MNC 19, 25–26, 39, 43–47, 260
    • in the office 142–143
    • interaction(s) 40, 42, 51, 61, 88, 159, 165
    • policy135
    • problem(s) 45–46, 104, 139–140, 143, 145–146, 150, 162, 167, 260
    • strategy 19, 146–151, 160, 242, 245–246, 249, 252, 260
    • style(s) 25, 33, 43, 147, 167–168, 246
  • communities of practice54
  • company
    • jargon 141, 145–146, 159
    • language 44, 46, 106, 133, 146, 159, 166–167, 254–256
    • support 102–103, 107, 248–249 ; see also support 102–103, 105, 107, 248–249
  • Confucianism105
  • Constructivist Paradigm35
  • contact hypothesis 97, 267
  • context-specific knowledge20
  • correspondence model of intercultural adjustment 87–88 ; see also adjustment 3, 81–108
  • creative capacity of language38
  • critical
    • events257
    • incident(s) 60, 122, 155–157, 165–166, 243, 249
    • interaction76
  • cross-cultural
    • communication40see also intercultural communication 14–16, 18–22, 29–30, 36–41, 44–47, 100, 106, 131–134, 154, 159–163, 166–168, 187, 189, 236–238, 244–245, 250–252, 257–261
    • competence 11–12 ; see also intercultural competence 12, 42, 64–65, 162
    • preparation 240, 247–248, 254
    • studies 40–41
    • training(s) 1, 63–65, 68, 72, 79, 100–102, 107, 158, 163, 236, 247–248, 253–254
    • uncertainty254see also expatriate uncertainty 96–97, 102–104, 107 ; see also feeling/sense of uncertainty 124, 142–143, 161, 201
  • cultural
    • awareness 165, 198, 201, 212, 217, 227, 232–233 ; see also cultural self-awareness 122, 158, 198, 163, 166, 233
    • aspects of the host country101
    • attribution(s) 165, 167, 241–242, 251, 254–255
    • background(s) 11, 25, 34, 40–41, 62, 68, 82, 89, 106–107, 123, 198, 216, 219–220, 226, 233, 253, 258, 260
    • categorization/dimensionalization36
    • category 15, 33, 103, 154, 156, 206
    • challenges258
    • characteristics34
    • common ground 168, 233 ; see also common ground 45, 64, 207, 220
    • difference(s) 33–35, 40, 43, 45, 64, 98, 104, 133, 207, 214, 217, 220, 224, 226, 231, 242–243, 246–247, 249–250
    • dimension(s) 15, 33, 125, 228
    • distance 104–105
    • distance asymmetry98
    • diversity 25–26, 40–42, 61, 63–64, 80, 132
    • dynamics 66, 76
    • identity 25, 35, 37, 90–91, 176, 220, 237 ; see also intercultural identity 90, 106
    • intelligence 5, 11–12, 64, 98–100, 227, 257
    • knowledge 50, 63, 65, 67–69, 76–77, 80, 99, 196, 219, 232, 236–237, 256
    • mentors256
    • novelty 83, 103–105, 128, 130
    • reality37
    • self-awareness 122, 158, 198, 163, 166, 233 ; see also cultural awareness 165, 198, 201, 212, 217, 227, 232–233
    • training[see cross-cultural training(s)]
    • transformation243see also intercultural transformation 90, 106, 247
    • value(s) 25, 33, 37, 43, 46, 155, 242
  • culturally diverse teams42
  • culture 14–15, 25, 29–36 see also high- vs. low-context cultures 33–34 see also “small” vs. “large” cultures46see also “loose” vs. “tight” (national) culture98
    • shock 73, 83, 103, 254, 256
  • culture-related traits175

D

  • decision making 13, 68, 99, 127, 169–191, 232, 234, 249
  • decision-making process(es) 19, 22, 169–191, 234
  • deconstruction of meanings36
  • determinants of expatriate adjustment 91–105, 107 ; see also expatriate adjustment 44, 46, 64, 73, 75, 77, 81–108, 124, 233, 241, 252, 256, 260
  • discourse 30, 35–36, 40–41, 51–53, 55, 58–59, 61–62, 198 see also inter-discourse communication 40–41
    • as a sequence of texts51
    • as interaction51
    • perspective36
    • studies35
  • discovery 58, 122, 171, 195, 211 ; see also anagnorisis122
  • discursive mechanism(s) 163–164, 204, 211, 229–231
  • diversity in ways of thinking42
  • drawn expatriates29see also expatriate 2, 26–29

E

  • emotionalism(s) 164, 229
  • English proficiency 44, 47, 160, 176
  • environmental determinism71see also reciprocal determinism 71–72
  • essentialism 29–30
  • essentialist view (of culture) 14, 30–35 ; see also non-essentialist approach/view (to/of culture) 15, 35–36, 45–46
  • ethnic
    • group strength 89–90
    • proximity 89–90
  • ethnocentric perspective 175, 243–244, 249, 253 ; see also home-culture’s perspective253
  • expatriate 2, 26-29
    • adaptation 88–89
    • adjustment 44, 46, 64, 73, 75, 77, 81–108, 124, 233, 241, 252, 256, 260 ; see also adjustment 3, 81–108 ; see also determinants of expatriate adjustment 91–105, 107
    • advice networks256
    • cultural learning 60, 65, 77, 166, 169, 193, 212, 256 ; see also intercultural learning 65–66, 77–80, 191, 226–227, 232, 238
    • failure 5–8, 10, 258 ; see also success of an international assignment 6–7, 93, 105
    • families 18, 105
    • training(s)102see also cross-cultural training(s) 1, 63–65, 68, 72, 79, 100–102, 107, 158, 163, 236, 247–248, 253–254
    • curiosity 65, 94, 241, 244
    • role[see role clarity]
    • uncertainty 96–97, 102–104, 107 ; see also cross-cultural uncertainty254see also feeling/sense of uncertainty 124, 142–143, 161, 201
    • unclear position 160, 245, 249, 252, 257 ; see also role clarity 100, 243–244, 252
  • expatriate-local personnel
    • communication 43–47, 107, 151–168, 233, 244–247
    • interactions 43–44, 46
  • expatriates of host country origin28see also expatriate 2, 26–29
  • expatriation 3–4, 18–20, 25–29, 60, 63, 65, 100, 106, 129–130, 217, 227, 258, 260
    • as a research domain 9–11, 18–21
    • determinants 5–7
    • failure 5–8, 10, 258 ; see also success of an international assignment 6–7, 93, 105
  • experiential learning theory 74–76, 78–79
  • explicit
    • knowledge 66–68, 74–75, 78–79, 145, 151, 165, 176–178, 182–183, 185, 188–189, 199, 202–203, 207, 211, 218–219, 225, 232–235, 241 ; see also tacit knowledge 66–68, 75, 79, 193, 199, 228, 256
    • vs. tacit knowledge pyramid67
    • learning 77–78, 178–179, 188, 236 ; see also implicit learning 178, 188, 236 ; see also tacit learning67

F

  • fabula52
  • face saving 156, 162–163, 175, 188, 228, 246, 249
  • see also mianzi 156, 162, 188, 249
  • factors affecting expatriate-local personnel collaboration 240–250
  • failure[see expatriate failure]
  • family support105see also support 102–103, 105, 107, 248–249
  • feeling/sense
    • of alienation 161, 183, 245
    • of being ignored 157, 213, 229
    • of (not) belonging to the group 91, 151–152, 173, 183, 202, 213, 237
    • of exclusion 45, 143, 153–154, 180, 245
    • of uncertainty 124, 142–143, 161, 201 ; see also expatriate uncertainty 96–97, 102–104, 107
  • focused coding121see also coding121
  • four-fold taxonomy of intercultural learning 77–79, 191, 238 ; see also expatriate cultural learning 60, 65, 77, 166, 169, 193, 212, 256
  • foreign language skills[see language skills]
  • French managers 219, 235
  • functional fitness 90–91
  • functionalist approach (to culture) 32–34

G

  • general/cultural adjustment84see also adjustment 3, 81–108
  • generalization(s) 33, 77, 108, 223–224, 226, 230, 232, 237 ; see also particularizations230
  • globalization 25–26, 40, 258
  • guanxi 127, 172, 174, 188, 206–207, 209, 211–212, 229, 233–234, 243, 249
  • see also mianzi 156, 162, 188, 249

H

  • hierarchical structure 120, 222, 229, 236
  • hierarchy
    • and power relations209
    • in decision making175
  • high- vs. low-context cultures 33–34
  • Hofstede’s cultural typology15
  • home-culture’s perspective253see also ethnocentric perspective 175, 243–244, 249, 253
  • host
    • communication competence 89–91
    • conformity pressure 89–90
    • environment 88–89, 247
    • language proficiency 43–44, 95, 162
    • receptivity 89–90
  • human communication 38–39 ; see also anthropocentric perspective of human communication39see also communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39

I

  • identity construction(s) 56–57, 61, 135, 138, 142, 175, 179, 181, 183, 190–191, 201–202, 213, 237–238, 247, 249
  • immersion (in new cultural contexts) 200, 236
  • implicit learning 178, 188, 236 ; see also explicit learning 77–78, 178–179, 188, 236 ; see also tacit learning67
  • individualism 33–34
  • in-group
    • membership 181–183, 188–189, 213, 229, 242, 247
    • relations 209, 240, 244, 247
  • initial coding121see also coding121
  • inpatriates28see also expatriate 2, 26–29
  • insufficient
    • command of English139see also English proficiency 44, 47, 160, 176
    • host language proficiency44see also host language proficiency 43–44, 95, 162
  • integrative theory of intercultural adaptation 88–91, 247
  • interactional adjustment 84–85, 93–94, 242–243 ; see also adjustment 3, 81–108
  • intercultural
    • adaptation 90–91
    • adjustment 73, 99, 101, 103–106 ; see also adjustment 3, 81–108
    • communication 14–16, 18–22, 29–30, 36–41, 44–47, 100, 106, 131–134, 154, 159–163, 166–168, 187, 189, 236–238, 244–245, 250–252, 257–261 ; see also cross-cultural communication40
    • competence 12, 42, 64–65, 162 ; see also cross-cultural competence 11–12
    • encounter(s) 15, 20–21, 25, 36, 46, 76–77, 80, 194–196, 229, 259
    • identity 90, 106
    • learning 65–66, 77–80, 191, 226–227, 232, 238 ; see also expatriate cultural learning 60, 65, 77, 166, 169, 193, 212, 256
    • learning processes 65, 77–80, 226, 232, 238
    • sensitivity 12, 162, 238
    • studies40
    • training[see cross-cultural training(s)]
    • transformation 90, 106, 247 ; see also integrative theory of intercultural adaptation 88–91
  • inter-discourse communication 40–41 ; see also communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39
  • international assignment(s) 2–7, 27–29, 60, 81, 100, 102, 105–106, 128–129, 236
  • international/transnational communication40see also communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39
  • interpersonal
    • communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39 ; see also communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39
    • relationships185
  • interpretational conflicts41see also attributional conflicts41see also behavioral conflicts41
  • Interpretative Paradigm35
  • interpretive (research) approach 60, 130
  • intra-self-initiated expatriates29see also expatriate 2, 26–29

J

  • job
    • performance 85, 100–101, 114, 161, 165, 244, 255
    • satisfaction 42, 65, 85

K

  • knowledge[see context-specific knowledge, cultural knowledge, explicit knowledge, tacit knowledge, specialized knowledge, stereotypical knowledge]

L

  • “large” cultures46see also culture 14–15, 25, 29–36
  • language
    • as a power tool255
    • in the MNC 43–45
    • policy 45, 47
    • skills 95, 126, 240, 242, 254 ; see also perceptual skills 95–96 ; see also relational skills 96, 247
  • learningsee also cultural learning 60, 65, 77, 166, 169, 193, 212, 256
    • to communicate across cultures 19, 63
  • liberal approach (to employee management) 197, 199
  • linguistic turn 37–38
  • local
    • (organizational) hierarchy 208–214, 232
    • (organizational) structure 44, 178, 187–188, 191, 209–211, 228–232, 234–235, 237, 245
    • management 193, 204–205, 207, 222–223, 225, 227–229, 231–234
  • logistical support 102–103 ; see also support 102–103, 105, 107, 248–249
  • long-term orientation228see also short-term orientation 34, 228
  • low competence in the host language44see also host language proficiency 43–44, 95, 162

M

  • (micro)narratives250see also narrative 50–52, 54–56, 58, 61–62
  • management
    • style 196–198, 200–205, 218, 221–223, 235–236 see also autocratic managerial style127
      • “American”234
      • “French”220
      • “liberal vs. “conservative” 196–198, 200–201, 234, 236
      • “methodical” vs. “short-sighted” 214–220
      • “Polish” 200, 220, 234
      • “short-sighted” vs. “forward-looking” 221–225
    • through guanxi 206–207
  • metaphor(s) 38, 148–149, 163, 180, 189, 198, 204, 217–218, 224, 229, 231
  • metaphorical expressions 160, 242, 255
  • mianzi 156, 162, 188, 249 ; see also face saving 156, 162–163, 175, 188, 228, 246, 249
  • see also guanxi 127, 172, 174, 188, 206–207, 209, 211–212, 229, 233–234, 243, 249
  • mode of thinking 54, 222
  • models of communication38
  • motivations for expatriation 92–93
  • multicultural teams42

N

  • narrative 50–52, 54–56, 58, 61–62 see also (micro)narratives250see also antenarrative 52–53 see also story 50, 52–53, 59, 61–62, 210
    • accounts 45, 259
    • analysis 49–50, 58–59, 61, 122, 226, 232, 259
    • competence52
    • inquiry 16–17, 49–50, 58–61, 112, 237
    • interview approach (to intercultural phenomena)58
    • interviewing 50, 113, 136, 257–258, 260
    • method 16, 50, 59–60, 112, 130, 259
  • narrator’s
    • interpretation58
    • perspective 50, 55, 58–59, 61, 164, 207, 230
  • national identity 25, 45, 126
  • non-essentialism 29–30
  • non-essentialist approach/view (to/of culture) 15, 35–36, 45–46 ; see also essentialist view (of culture) 14, 30–35 ; see also social constructionist approach (to culture) 15, 35
  • non-verbal communication 77, 86, 163 ; see also communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39

O

  • openness
    • to experience 97, 242
    • toward cultural others 153, 177
  • organizational
    • culture 15, 46, 72–73, 83, 106, 196, 212, 222, 248–249
    • culture novelty 102, 104 ; see also cultural novelty 83, 103–105, 128, 130
    • discourse research51
    • discourses59
    • structure and procedures 178, 240, 249 ; see also local (organizational) structure 44, 178, 187–188, 191, 209–211, 228–232, 234–235, 237, 245
  • others-orientation 95–96, 242 ; see also self-orientation 95–96

P

  • particularizations230see also generalization(s) 33, 77, 108, 223–224, 226, 230, 232, 237
  • paternalistic leadership style 119, 160, 236, 252
  • patriarchal
    • hierarchy228
    • system209
  • perceived personality 240–241 ; see also adaptive personality 89–90 ; see also personality dimensions 64–65
  • perceptual skills 95–96 ; see also language skills 95, 126, 240, 242, 254
  • peripeteia122see also turning point(s) 58, 122, 182–183, 195
  • personal communication90see also communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39 ; see also interpersonal communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39
  • personality dimensions 64–65 ; see also adaptive personality 89–90 ; see also perceived personality 240–241
  • Poland 18–19, 125–127, 196–197, 200, 221–224, 226, 231–232, 236
  • Poles 125–127, 157, 161, 164, 190, 200, 206–208, 223–224, 244, 246, 249, 256
  • Polish
    • business contexts189
    • managers 19, 188–189, 191, 219, 222, 228, 234–235
  • Positive Organization Scholarship42
  • power
    • management 203–205
    • struggles 39, 139, 144–145, 167, 181
  • pre-departure training 72, 100–102 ; see also cross-cultural training(s) 1, 63–65, 68, 72, 79, 100–102, 107, 158, 163, 236, 247–248, 253–254
  • preparedness (readiness) for change89
  • previous international/overseas experience 77, 93, 94, 117, 219, 240–241
  • professional identity 61, 106, 168, 175, 190–191, 237
  • proficiency in the host languagesee also English proficiency 44, 47, 160, 176 [see host language proficiency]
  • prototype theory27
  • psychological
    • adjustment 84, 97 ; see also adjustment 3, 81–108
    • health 90–91
    • well-being 83–84, 91, 101, 152, 161, 213

R

  • real-time training 100, 102 ; see also cross-cultural training(s) 1, 63–65, 68, 72, 79, 100–102, 107, 158, 163, 236, 247–248, 253–254
  • reciprocal determinism 71–72 ; see also environmental determinism71
  • relational skills 96, 247 ; see also language skills 95, 126, 240, 242, 254 ; see also perceptual skills 95–96
  • role clarity 100, 243–244, 252 ; see also expatriate unclear position 160, 245, 249, 252, 257

S

  • “small” cultures46see also “large” cultures46
  • saving face[see face saving]
  • see also mianzi 156, 162, 188, 249
  • self-control processes71
  • self-efficacy 95–96
  • self-initiated expatriate 27–28, 92 ; see also expatriate 2, 26–29
  • self-orientation 95–96 ; see also others-orientation 95–96, 242
  • sense
    • of belonging[see feeling/sense of belonging]
    • of exclusion[see feeling/sense of exclusion]
  • sense-making process(es) 55–56, 60, 170, 180, 182–183
  • shared language 43, 62, 133
  • Shenyang 128–129
  • short-term assignees28see also expatriate 2, 26–29
  • short-term orientation 34, 228 ; see also long-term orientation228
  • sociability 97, 242
  • social
    • constructionism66
    • constructionist approach (to culture) 15, 35
    • learning theory 69–73, 79
    • perspective of language37
    • support 102–103 ; see also support 102–103, 105, 107, 248–249
  • sociocultural
    • adjustment84see also adjustment 3, 81–108
    • relations 186, 188, 248–249
  • solving problems 42, 184–186, 216, 222, 224, 241
  • specialized knowledge 145, 217, 220, 226, 237
  • spousal support105see also support 102–103, 105, 107, 248–249
  • stages
    • of cross-cultural training 100–102
    • of cultural learning 70, 74, 78, 200–201, 235–236
    • of expatriate adjustment 73, 83–84, 256
    • of expatriation 73, 83–84, 112, 256
    • of thematic analysis 121–122
  • stereotypes 30, 67, 226, 241, 246
  • stereotypical knowledge230
  • story 50, 52–53, 59, 61–62, 210 ; see also narrative 50–52, 54–56, 58, 61–62
  • storytelling 46, 49–50, 52, 55–57, 59, 61, 113–114, 238, 253
  • strategies for effective communication 146–151 ; see also communication 14, 30, 33–34, 38–39
  • structuralist approach (to language)37
  • success of an international assignment 6–7, 93, 105 ; see also expatriation determinants 5–7 ; see also expatriate failure 5–8, 10, 258
  • superior-subordinate
    • collaboration 185, 206, 216, 218
    • relations 203–204, 217, 227–228, 231–232, 234
    • relationships 208–209, 212, 219, 234
  • support 102–103, 105, 107, 248–249

T

  • “tight” (national) culture98see also “loose” (national) culture98
  • “trigger events”250
  • tacit knowledge 66–68, 75, 79, 193, 199, 228, 256 ; see also explicit knowledge 66–68, 74–75, 78–79, 145, 151, 165, 176–178, 182–183, 185, 188–189, 199, 202–203, 207, 211, 218–219, 225, 232–235, 241 ; see also explicit vs. tacit knowledge pyramid67
  • tacit learning67see also explicit learning 77–78, 178–179, 188, 236 ; see also implicit learning 178, 188, 236
  • text 36, 51–52, 62
  • thematic analysis 194–195 ; see also stages of thematic analysis 121–122
  • third country nationals 28–29 ; see also expatriate 2, 26–29
  • training[see cross-cultural training(s)]
  • transformation of experience74
  • trust 172, 244, 247
  • turning point(s) 58, 122, 182–183, 195 ; see also peripeteia122

U

  • unclear position[see expatriate unclear position]
  • unsuccessful international assignment3see also expatriation determinants 5–7 ; see also success of an international assignment 6–7, 93, 105

V

  • value systems45

W

  • “war for talent”12
  • Western contexts191
  • Westerner(s) 186, 190, 228, 236
  • work adjustment 84–85, 96, 100, 102–103, 105–107, 162, 226, 245, 249 ; see also adjustment 3, 81–108
  • working style(s) 140, 158, 166, 174, 184, 188, 193–199, 206–209, 215, 217, 219–220, 223–228, 232–236, 249
  • workload185