Expatriating organisations can play a critical role in supporting expat families, by providing effective social, professional and practical support, and a direct communication link with family members.
Critical support role
This is one of the conclusions in Managing Expatriates – a Return On Investment Approach, by Yvonne McNulty and Kerr Inkson. The book deals with the difficult issue of how to calculate the ROI of expats (eROI), and categorises the factors that need to be taken into account.
Family situation can wreck ROI
One of those factors is the family situation. “The challenges associated with the spouse’s career, identity, and adjustment, along with issues related to children, health, and marital fidelity and happiness can break an expatriate and wreck his or her eROI.” The researchers write that many companies do not sufficiently acknowledge expat family issues. And even: “We suggest that when family problems are added to the ROI equation, it may sometimes be better for an organisation to find another global staffing solution that does not involve traditional expatriation.”
