THE POWER OF ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR SPOUSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF EXPATRIATES

摘要

The likelihood that an expatriate will succeed in an international assignment is positively correlated with his or her ability to adjust to the new locale. This adjustment process is heavily affected by the adjustment of spouses and other family members, who are often neglected when firms plan for an expatriate assignment. The present research uses networking theory and readily available technology, by proposing a model demonstrating how online supportive social networks and informational social networks can enhance the adjustment process of expatriate spouses and family members.