ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the role of cross-cultural briefings during international assignments. R. L. Tung has classified cross-cultural training programs into several categories depending on, ‘the rigour with which the programme seeks to impart knowledge and understanding of a foreign country’. The larger the expatriate community the greater the support and the more likely that cross-cultural adjustment is facilitated. In a few cases, neither language training nor cross-cultural briefings may be necessary or appropriate. Employees also regarded these as being important but also stressed the importance of preliminary visits to the new country, the provision of a mentor in the new job, family support and cross-cultural training. Companies, particularly those new to the international scene, need to be aware that there are a variety of cross-cultural training options available. Training companies could involve more women with previous experience of international assignments in their briefing sessions in the future.
