International Jobs and Careers

Abstract

Describes a study purposing to examine the adequacy of the current system of international assignments, in view of the planned expansions of the IBM World Trade program, and to find out more about the conditions that lead to satisfying assignments for both assignees and their wives. As 2000 assignees studied were scattered across 70 countries, the main instrument used was a 300-item questionnaire. Mail distribution through coordinators appointed in country personnel departments achieved a 90% response rate. Variables studied were how attitudes toward manager nationality related to working for a manager of another nationality, the relationship between satisfaction with assignments and reasons for taking assignments, and which source of satisfactions contributed most to overall satisfaction. Among other findings, the results revealed high relevance of previous overseas experience and early environment to satisfaction with the assignment. Altogether, while this summary represents a small selection of the study findings, it has highlighted some key issues that influence satisfaction with international assignments and orientation toward international career paths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1970 American Psychological Association.