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Do as the large enterprises do?: Expatriate selection and overseas performance in emerging markets: The case of Taiwan SMEs

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  • Cheng, Hsiang-Lin
  • Lin, Carol Yeh Yun

Abstract

This study investigated the less explored expatriation practices of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. Data for 133 Taiwan SMEs operating in Malaysia and Vietnam revealed that four personality traits of expatriates, i.e., control ability, independence, openness and social ability exert significant influences on overseas performance given that different types of performance require different of expatriate competency. Analytical results also indicated that the widely perceived influence of the favorable evaluation of the expatriate by top managers does not impact the overseas performance of expatriates. Further, the expatriate practices of Taiwan SMEs vary depending on cultural differences between the home country and host countries. Taken together, the findings of this study have valuable implications for both academicians and practitioners in international management.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Hsiang-Lin & Lin, Carol Yeh Yun, 2009. "Do as the large enterprises do?: Expatriate selection and overseas performance in emerging markets: The case of Taiwan SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 60-75, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:18:y:2009:i:1:p:60-75
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hsiang-Lin Cheng & C.-M. J. Yu, 2012. "Adoption of Practices by Subsidiaries and Institutional Interaction within Internationalised Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 81-105, February.
    2. Freeman, Susan & Lindsay, Sarah, 2012. "The effect of ethnic diversity on expatriate managers in their host country," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 253-268.
    3. Bader, Benjamin & Berg, Nicola & Holtbrügge, Dirk, 2015. "Expatriate performance in terrorism-endangered countries: The role of family and organizational support," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 849-860.
    4. Selmer, Jan & Lauring, Jakob, 2013. "Dispositional affectivity and work outcomes of expatriates," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(3), pages 568-577.
    5. Dutta, Dev K. & Beamish, Paul W., 2013. "Expatriate Managers, Product Relatedness, and IJV Performance: A Resource and Knowledge-based Perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 152-162.
    6. Schwens, Christian & Kabst, Ruediger, 2011. "Internationalization of young technology firms: A complementary perspective on antecedents of foreign market familiarity," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 60-74, February.
    7. Chun-Hsiao Wang & Arup Varma, 2022. "International management strategies and expatriate practices of Taiwanese multinational corporations: a contingency perspective," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(1), pages 129-153, February.
    8. João Vasco Coelho, 2022. "Recruiting Business Expatriates in Portugal: The Moderating Role of Employee Willingness," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 8(2), pages 206-227, July.
    9. Tseng, Chiung-Hui & Lee, Ruby P., 2010. "Host environmental uncertainty and equity-based entry mode dilemma: The role of market linking capability," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 407-418, August.
    10. Diep Thi Ngoc Nguyen & Stephen T. T. Teo & Marcus Ho, 2018. "Development of human resource management in Vietnam: A semantic analysis," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 241-284, March.
    11. Kunlin Xu & Judy Drennan & Shane Mathews, 2019. "Immigrant entrepreneurs and their cross-cultural capabilities: A study of Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 520-557, December.
    12. Shu-Yuan Chen & Chih-Hsun Chuang & Shyh-jer Chen, 2018. "A conceptual review of human resource management research and practice in Taiwan with comparison to select economies in East Asia," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 213-239, March.

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