According to a 2013 survey, 70 percent of multinational organizations were expecting to increase short-term international assignments and 55 percent were looking to increase their long-term assignments. The experience of moving to a different country and adjusting to its new cultural norms is a major undertaking. If it is not handled properly, poor adjustment can result in employee dissatisfaction, poor performance, prejudice, and misunderstanding.

Although adjustment tends to increase over time, those with previous culture-specific work experience as well as higher self-esteem and self-efficacy tend to adjust and be promoted more quickly. A review of 66 studies on nearly 9,000 expatriates suggests that several other factors increase adjustment, including language ability, relational skills, role clarity and autonomy, organizational support, and familial support. Organizations should ensure employees selected for international assignments have the support they need.