Training of Australian expatriates for management in South East Asia

Abstract

This paper will review the literature pertaining to cross-cultural management training, with the purpose of identifying optimum training timing and methods for developing intercultural management effectiveness. The focus will be on Australian management expatriates posted to the South East Asian region. Expatriate Australian managers continue to be rated poorly in intercultural effectiveness by Asian business executives. Training programs in intercultural management are mostly underutilised, are seen as having limited effectiveness and are held prior to departure. 'Within country' ('in-post) training' characterised by small, cross-organisational management groups is examined. These groups, aiming to develop relevant socio-cultural competencies and host culture relevant management practices are proposed for effective training of long term (over one year) Australian expatriate managers.