Human Resource Development Programs for Overseas Assignments in the Asia-Pacific: A Study of Managers in Singapore

• Main Authors: OSMAN-GANI, A. Ahad M., TAN, Wee Liang
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2002
• Subjects: International human resource development; overseas assignments; expatriate training; Asia-Pacific; Singapore; Human Resources Management; Strategic Management Policy
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/239; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/1238/viewcontent/auto_convert.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Asia-Pacific region form a major arena of increasing interest for overseas business operations. In this regard, human resource development (HRD) issues are found to play significant roles in major international business decisions. Yet little is known about the international HRD programs and practices employed by companies to train and develop managers for this dynamic region. This paper presents the empirical findings of a study on the relative importance of training on several key factors that are crucial to companies for their managers to succeed in overseas assignments in the Asia Pacific region. The study is based on a sample of managers from Singapore-based companies that have internationalized business operations in the region. In addition to identifying the profiles of international managers, the study attempts to identify the types, contents, effective methods and duration of such training programs. A comparison between multinational enterprises (MNEs) and the local Singaporean companies was also done to identify the natures and extent of differences. Drawing upon these findings and the review of the literature, a conceptual model for successful expatriation is proposed.