Dual-Career Expatriates: Expectations, Adjustment and Satisfaction With International Relocation

Dual-career expatriate couples present a challenging set of problems for international human resource managers. The results of a survey of husbands and wives in expatriate dual-career couples are analyzed relative to: 1) differences between the expatriates and their trailing spouses; 2) differences between male- and female-led dual-career couples; 3) differences between dual-career couples' opinions prior to expatriation and upon repatriation. The results of the study indicate dual-career couples have relatively consistent concerns and expectations prior to expatriation and upon repatriation to their home country. The significant differences observed were between male-led dual-career couples prior to expatriation when compared to male-led dual-career couples upon repatriation. In addition, the dual-career expatriate respondents did not feel the MNC that transferred them overseas provided adequate training or social support during the international assignment.