ABSTRACT
Most multinationals use expatriates heavily to staff key positions in the early stages of operations outside the headquarters country. Expatriates who have been socialized to the headquarters culture can be expected to behave predictably in foreign operations. But the cost of having a large number of people in international postings can become burdensome. And increasingly countries are imposing limits on granting work visas to employees who are not host country citizens. So the challenges associated with fi nding workforce management strategies that will work everywhere appear early and often have a major impact on the success of foreign operations.
