A path analysis of the relationship between cross-cultural adjustment, person-environment fit and work-related outcomes

Understanding how expatriates adjust to the various aspects of the host environment has been a focal point of research within international human resource management literature for several decades. Person-environment (PE) fit investigates the degree of „fit‟ an employee has with the various dimensions of their working environment. Several researchers have suggested that successful PE fit positively influences work outcomes such as adjustment, job satisfaction and task performance. However, to the author‟s knowledge, no empirical research has been conducted on the relationship between PE fit, cross-cultural adjustment and work-related outcomes. The main aims of this study were to 1) investigate the overall relationship between PE fit and cross-cultural adjustment and 2) investigate the overall relationship between PE fit, cross-cultural adjustment and work-related outcomes. Three hundred and sixty-nine nonconsultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) working in Ireland filled out the questionnaire. Backward multiple regression and path analyses were the statistical approaches used to determine the relationship between PE fit, crosscultural adjustment and work-related outcomes. The results revealed both direct and indirect relationships between the three models suggesting that good overall PE fit on an international assignment can positively influence an expatriate‟s overall cross-cultural adjustment and overall work-related outcomes. The results indicate that Human Resources (HR) should focus on maininting expatriates‟ overall PE fit while on an international assignment as higher levels of overall PE fit can positively influence successful cross-cultural adjustment and work-related outcomes.