Beyond culture shock: entering the complex world of Global South expatriates’ adaptation

Abstract

This general review offers a literature-informed conceptual framework articulating the antecedents of issues facing Global South expatriates in relation to adaptation in western contexts. The analysis indicates that several complex issues impede Global South expatriates’ effective adjustment. These include culture distance, ethnic prejudice social isolation, children and family issues, and homesickness. Organisations need to create psychological safety for effective adjustment. This paper is one few to highlight the global south expatriates’ adaptation issues that are poorly addressed in the literature with reference to Global South expatriates. The expatriate literature is often biased towards Western expatriates, ignoring the situation of psychological insecurity caused by psycho-social factors that hamper Global South expatriates’ integration.