The preference for predeparture or postarrival cross‐cultural training – An exploratory approach

Recent research suggests that cross‐cultural training should be timed with motivation to learn which may make postarrival training a more effective alternative to more traditional, predeparture training. Swedish business expatriates in Hong Kong were surveyed examining their preference for predeparture or postarrival training based on their international experience. The contradictory results seem to suggest that it is the type of international experience that matters more than the magnitude of such experience. Another interesting finding is that a sizeable minority of the expatriates preferred postarrival training which clearly exceeds the low interest international business firms have shown in such training. Implications of these results for assigning firms and trainers are discussed.