Repatriation in Australian organisations: effects of function and value of international assignment on program scope

Abstract

The rapid internationalisation of organisations in recent years has heightened interest in the need for cross-cultural preparation and support of individuals undertaking international assignments, and the reverse culture shock and adjustment issues that face repatriates. Research has suggested that organisations that do not successfully repatriate their employees will lose financially from attrition and lose knowledge gained from repatriates' international experience. Prior research has demonstrated that intense repatriation programs are the most effective means of retaining repatriates and transferring their knowledge, yet many organisations do not employ repatriation programs. This paper investigates factors that influence Australian organisations to utilise repatriation programs, and proposes that the function of international transfer and organisations' beliefs about the value of international experience will determine the scope of repatriation programs. Based on research conducted in 2003, the findings suggest that Australian organisations recognise the importance of repatriation, but provide insufficient support.