Individual profiles as predictors of expatriate effectiveness

Purpose – This paper aims to assess the relationship between expatriate personality and effectiveness on overseas assignments. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were collected from 118 expatriates who were currently on assignments overseas or had been on an assignment in the past. Findings – Results of multiple regression analysis show expatriate personality traits to be significant predictors of two of the effectiveness measured used. Extraversion, emotional stability, and openness have a significant, positive impact on expatriate adjustment, and agreeableness is significant and positively associate with expatriate job performance. Practical implications – Organizations may be well‐served to consider expatriate personality as an important criterion for selection for overseas assignments, as successful assignments reflect on the organization in a number of ways and thus contribute to the company's global competitiveness. Originality/value – Extant research on the connection between expatriate personality and effectiveness has been limited, relies on expatriate or supervisor perceptions of which traits they believe are important to success, and has been inconsistent in measuring the effectiveness construct. This paper directly assesses personality and employs multiple dimensions of effectiveness, thus contributing to the understanding of this relationship.