ABSTRACT
Many expats work with locals on a daily basis, and they can offer a lot of useful information that can help the expat do their jobs well. A useful approach for looking at the various ways in which locals can help is the host country liaison (HCL) model. Locals of the host country can play an important liaison role between the expat and the local environment and workforce. The model distinguishes five HCL roles, namely cultural interpreter, communication manager, information resource broker, talent manager and change agent, which are illustrated by quotes from interviews with expats in Malaysia, Mexico and the United States. The HCL model shows different ways in which locals of the host country can contribute to the success of both the expat and the organisation.
