Expatriation - the SME Challenge - Alternatives to Long-term Assignments Abroad

Germany is World Champion in Exports. Almost all big enterprises have relations abroad and achieve a big part of their turnover there. This also applies more and more for SMEs. More than 70 percent of the SMEs are exporters. The trend towards internationalisation is still going on and there is no sign for deceleration or even freezing. But many enterprises are in alert because of the high costs caused by Expatriates, especially when travelling with their families. Studies prove that the rate of premature failures of assignments abroad is still of 10-40%, sometimes even higher. Besides of the traditional problems in long-term assignments there are new challenges for the enterprises and among them especially for the SMEs. The author shows that transferability of given solutions for big enterprises to SMEs is limited and introduces alternative assignment forms like short-term assignments, International Commuter and Frequent Traveller in connection with SMEs. Additionally he gives recommendations about basic behaviour in Malaysia. This book should guide decision-makers in SMEs and in all Human Resources Departments, candidates for assignments abroad and Malaysia visitors.