Do identity and status matter? A social identity theory perspective on the adaptability of low‐status expatriates

• Author: Zhang Xuehe,Asad Abbas,Alabi Charles Olabode,Kenneth Khavwandiza Sunguh
• Published date: 01 November 2019
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1938
• Date: 01 November 2019

ACADEMIC PAPER

Do identity and status matter? A social identity theory

perspective on the adaptability of low‐status expatriates

Kenneth Khavwandiza Sunguh

1

|Asad Abbas

2

|Alabi Charles Olabode

1

|Zhang Xuehe

1

1

School of Public Affairs, University of Science

and Technology of China, Hefei, China

2

School of Economics and Management,

Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Correspondence

Zhang Xuehe, School of Public Affairs,

University of Science and Technology of China,

No. 96 JinZhai Road, Hefei, 230026, Anhui

province, People's Republic of China.

Email: zhangxhe@ustc.edu.cn

The study aims to investigate the effect of identify and status in the field of global

mobility and expatriate management. It conceptualizes perceived prejudice towards

low‐status expatriates (LSE) though the social identity theory (SIT) lens and examines

the effect it has on two state self‐esteem domains, that is, performance self‐esteem

and social self‐esteem. The study also highlights that the moderation roles education

level and age of expatriates play towards their adaptability. In doing so, it seeks

to expand the expatriate management domain by investigating the negative side

associated with expatriation. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze

responses from 373 LSE working in China. The results provide evidence indicating

the significance attached to status and identity, thus indicating that perceived

prejudice significantly affects expatriate's self‐esteem negatively and that age and

education level mitigate these effects by moderating the relationship. Age and

education level attained by the expatriates are found to be significant moderators

in this relationship. The study therefore proposes the use of SIT as a powerful

theoretical lens for understanding LSE.

1|INTRODUCTION

The main notable difference that determines the success between

locals and expatriates in expatriate management is the ability to adapt

to the working environment, overcoming negativity linked to

stereotyping and the support received from the host nationals as in

the case of expatriates (Molero, Recio, García‐Ael, Fuster, & Sanjuán,

2013; Wang & Varma, 2018). These factors have been found to have

a significant influence in the expatriate management area, and when

disregarded, they tend to lead to major shortcomings in global

mobility. As established in previous studies, the factors may reduce

job morale, lower job commitment, increase the intentions to quit,

and sometimes might lead to psychological challenges among the

expatriates (Bednarova, Chovancova, Pacana, & Ulewicz, 2018), there-

fore leading to immature repatriation that is found to be detrimental

to firm growth in terms of both cost and time management. However,

in recent times, firms have attempted to reduce the risks of immature

repatriation by selecting and recruiting expatriates deemed to possess

the right personal traits and providing them special training that is

hoped to assist them in adapting in the new environment (McNulty

& Brewster, 2018). Training in respective areas such as the

lifestyle and cultural differences to be expected, the type of food,

preadjustment, and preparation to the expected weather conditions

are among the aspects addressed before they embark on their assign-

ments. This is done so as to assist the expatriates to adapt and have a

comfortable life that would facilitate continued productivity, thus

leading to the expatriation success. By providing training and lessons

on the cultural aspects present in the respective countries, the expatri-

ates are expected to use the knowledge to assist them in establishing

and developing trustworthy relationships with the host nationals, an

essential element that been established to be highly significant for

the adaptability and success of any expatriate (Heizmann, Fee, & Gray,

2018). Although most of the expatriates' assignments have been

successful through the adherence to the above procedures, it has

been found that the aspect of stereotyping and categorization of the

expatriates by the host nationals into different social groups, for

instance, high‐status expatriates and low‐status expatriates (LSE), has

had detrimental effect on their adaptability and success yet the area

has received little focus in the expatriate management (Bonache,

Langinier, & Zárraga‐Oberty, 2016).

Received: 16 February 2019 Accepted: 23 February 2019

DOI: 10.1002/pa.1938

J Public Affairs. 2019;19:e1938.

https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1938

© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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