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China is the most popular destination for Western expatriates but it also ranks second to Japan as producing the most assignment failures. The reason given : " Families often don't adjust well." However, the appointment of single expatriates also has difficulties, but this time because of problems associated with loneliness and alienation. Both situations require careful management in that orientation to a new working culture involves new schedules, and social and living arrangements. All of which cannot be truly experienced until your new employee arrives at their destination and starts working. Many are surprised at the difference between an earlier visit when they were "spoilt" by their hosts and paradoxically enough, shielded from the realities of day to day working and what the reality actually is! Early symptoms of poor adaptation are sleeplessness, and symptoms of jet lag that do not go away. Victims react by "Flight" or "Fright", they either become more withdrawn trying to build a barrier between themselves and the situation, or they show the classic symptoms of "Fright: irritability, aggressiveness, lack of patience, and increased dependence on alcohol or other "reality cheaters".
The classic way to solve these problems is by increasing fringe benefits. Top class apartments, cars, and increased salaries and benefits, are the way companies used to solve these problems. But as we know, reliance on these "extrinsic" factors have limitations. The only real answer is hard work and planning, and careful and disciplined management. We try to give you the information and help you need to be successful privat and business related. Please feel allways free to ask you question in our Expat Forum.
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