Revisiting the Construct of Expatriate Adjustment

This article identifies concerns regarding the current conceptualization and operationalization of the construct "expatriate adjustment" that we believe are preventing our field from advancing further. Three central concerns, stemming from a lack of theoretical and methodological rigor surrounding the construct of expatriate adjustment, are discussed: (1) the ambiguity of the adjustment construct in both conceptualization and operationalization; (2) the lack of understanding of the full content domain of expatriate adjustment facets; and (3) the implicit assumption that expatriates perceive all environmental aspects to be of equal importance. Suggestions to address each concern are offered.