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Expatriates in Asia: Breaking free from the colonial paradigm

Scott Hipsher, Bangkok University, Thailand

 - identifies and describes the Colonial Paradigm and how it affects the perceptions of Western expatriates
 - identifies and describes the phenomenon of the independent expatriate
 - provides case studies to illustrate both the challenges and rewards of the expatriate experience in Asia
 - provides practical advice for expatriates working in Asia
 - provides a framework for HR departments to use for preparing expatriates for foreign assignments in Asia

The Asia-Pacific region is recognized as the fastest growing economic region in the world as well as one of the most difficult places for expatriates to work. Classical literature, modern popular entertainment, as well as academic studies often create an impression of Asia in the West which can encourage the formation of a set of expectations about working in Asia that hinder the expatriate adjustment process. The book provides conceptual frameworks as well as practical advice on working in the exciting and challenging environments found in the dynamic and diverse continent of Asia.

ISBN 1 84334 421 1
ISBN-13: 978 1 84334 421 6
June 2008
222 pages  234 x 156mm  paperback  
£39.95 / US$70.00 / €50.00

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About the author

Dr Scott A Hipsher has extensive experience working, studying and living in Asia. He has working in Japan as an operational supervisor while in the US Navy, and in Thailand as an area manager for an export company, a marketing manager for a Thai-Malaysian College, a member of the faculty at Bangkok University as well currently working in the Thai-Burmese border region as the General Affairs Manager for ZOA Refugee Care. Dr Hipsher earned his Bachelor Degree with the University of Maryland’s Asian Division while in Japan, an MBA from Bangkok University in Thailand and a Ph.D. from Capella University in the USA. He is the lead author of The Nature of Asian Firms: An Evolutionary Perspective published by Chandos as well as the author of numerous papers on business in Asia and poverty reduction for academic journals and conferences .

Titles which may also be of interest:
Managing People Globally
Globalization, Flexibilization and Working Conditions in Asia and the Pacific
Globalisation and Work in Asia

Contents

The colonial paradigm
 - Creation and development of the colonial paradigm in Asia
 - Influence of classical colonial literature
 - Modern reinforcement of the colonial paradigm
 - Problems created by the colonial paradigm
 - The expatriate experience

Current expatriate practices and assumptions
 - Academic literature and the colonial paradigm
 - Current expatriate human resources practices
 - Academic literature on selection and training of expatriates
 - Academic literature on expatriate support and adjustment
 - Academic literature on expatriate repatriation
 - Overview of the academic expatriate literature

Need for a paradigm shift
 - Changing economic patterns
 - Changing trade patterns
 - Changing patterns of education and technological expertise
 - Changing nature of work

Making the paradigm shift
 - Understanding your own culture
 - Understanding the overlapping cultures people live in
 - The importance of the study of foreign languages
 - Removing cultural benchmarks and a three-level conceptual framework

The nature of the business environment within Asia
 - Entrepreneurial orientation as opposed to corporate orientation 81  - Scale of business enterprises in Asia
 - Legal and political environment and effects on business practices in Asia
 - Labor relations in Asia
 - HR management practices in Asia

Asian dimensions of culture
 - Individualism versus collectivism
 - Power distance
 - Uncertainty avoidance
 - Masculinity versus femininity
 - Long-term versus short-term orientation
 - Culturally based business practices

Stories from the front lines: experiences of expatriates working in Asia
 - Dan from New Zealand
 - Heather from America
 - Malcolm from the UK
 - Carrie from Canada
 - Jennifer from Canada
 - Scott from the USA

Working in individual countries
 - China
 - Japan
 - Thailand
 - Cambodia

Expatriate HR management under the new paradigm
 - Recruitment and selection
 - Training
 - Management, support and development of expatriates
 - Re-entry
 - Conclusion

The future of expatriate workers
 - The virtual expatriate
 - Increased globalization or isolation?
 - Asian expatriates
 - Final thoughts and conclusion