Antecedents of Expatriate Spouse Adjustment: An Analysis of Japanese Spouses in the United States

This is one of the first studies investigating factors related to the adjustment of expatriate spouses. The study extends, both conceptually and methodologically, the limited research on spouse adjustment by testing the effects oflanguage proficiency and educational level on adjustment. Furthermore, it is the first study to survey non US respondents in their native language. In the end, we found that time since arriva~ educational level, language proficiency, and willingness to communicate are directly related to spouse adjustment. Expatriate Spouse Adjustment 60618.doc page 3 The effects of a rapid increase in the amount of international trade over the last several decades [e.g. Adler 1991; Dowling, Schuler & Welch 1994; Phatak 1995] have even been evident for Japan, a country that entered the international trade arena relatively late [Kuwabara 1990]. One of the natural effects of this increase has been a rise in the number ofJapanese expatriates sent overseas [Iwauchi 1992]. During the decade from 1980 to 1990, the Japanese Ministry ofForeign Affairs reported an increase in the number of"long-period sojourners" from 178,605 to 302,510 [Nihon Zaigai Kigyou Kyoukai 1990]. In 1990, the Ministry estimated that 194,532 people (65.1% oflongperiod sojourners) were Japanese expatriates sent by companies [Nihon Zaigai Kigyou Kyoukai 1990]. The rest ofthe long-period sojourners includes students and scholars (18.7%), government employees (6.3%), liberal professionals (2.3%), employees in mass communications (0.7%), and others (6.9%). Not surprisingly, North America is the geographical area where the largest number of these sojourners stay (41.6%). It is followed by West Europe (26.5%) and Asia (20.7%) [Nihon Zaigai Kigyou Kyoukai 1990]. Hence, it is important to understand the antecedents and consequences related to the adjustment of Japanese expatriates and their spouses. This is particularly important since the largest number of expatriates are sent to North America (80,608, 41.4% of all expatriates) [Nihon Zaigai Kigyou Kyoukai 1990]. Developing a better understanding ofJapanese expatriates (and their spouses') may also be helpful for American managers who may have to interact with Japanese expatriates. This is particularly important for people working with Japanese expatriates toward a common goal, such as a joint venture or technology transfer. Despite the recent increase in studies dealing with various aspects ofexpatriate adjustment in the U. S. [e.g., Black 1988, 1990a, 1990b; Black & Gregersen 1991b; Hawes & Kealey 1981; Expatriate Spouse Adjustmmt 60618.doc page 4 Ruben & Kealey 1979; Stenmg & Hammer 1992; Torbiom 1982; see Mendenhall & Oddou 1985; Black, Mendenhall & Oddou 1991; for review] and in Japan [e.g., Fukumoto 1990; Iwauchi 1992a, 1992b; Jinnouchi 1992; Koyou-Kaihatsu Center 1990a, 1990b; Nihon Zaigai Kigyou Kyoukai 1990; Ogoshi 1990; Sakurai 1995; Tanaka 1990]; there have been only two studies dealing with U.S. spouses [Black & Gregersen 1991a; Black & Stephens 1989], and virtually none focusing on the adjustment ofJapanese spouses. Ofcourse, many studies on expatriates focus some secondary attention on the educational problems related to the children, yet they still tend to neglect spouses, who play important roles during an overseas assignment. Understanding the adjustment of expatriate spouses is critical because the inability ofa spouse or family to adjust has consistently been cited as one ofthe most important reasons for American expatriates' "success" and ''failure'' [Hays 1971, 1974; Stone 1991; Tung 1982, 1987]. For example, Arthur and Bennett [1995] recently found support for the importance ofspouses. In their study, a ''family situation" factor received the highest importance rating for predicting expatriate success. Regrettably, scholars have neglected spouse adjustments until recently [Harvey 1985)]. Accordingly, the current study attempts to remedy the lack of studies pertaining to spouse adjustment and improve our understanding about its antecedents. One reason for the lack of studies ofJapanese expatriate spouses may stem from the belief that the Japanese spouses do not playa major role in expatriate adjustment processes. Tung [1987] posited that Japanese spouses' obedience and dependence are the primary reasons for this. Such a belief, that the spouse's adjustment does not affect expatriate success, may be unfounded, however. When a Japanese spouse accompanies their partner on an international assignment, the couple's children also accompany them in the majority of cases [e.g., 73.5%, Nihon Zaigai Kigyou Expatriate Spouse Adjustment 60618.doc page 5 Kyoukai 1991]. Given the emphasis put on education in Japan and the spouse's primary responsibility for taking care of the children and school related matters [Iwauchi 1992b], spouse adjustment may be more important for Japanese expatriates than had been assumed. Given this backdrop, the main purposes of this research are to 1) increase our understanding of spouse adjustment and its antecedents and 2) extend the findings ofthe limited number ofprevious studies on this topic. In the next section, we review the literature on expatriate and spouse adjustments and then describe the methodology used. Our discussion ofresults follows. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for research and practice.