Professor Texas A&M University Texas A&M University College Station, Texas, United States
Abstract: This integrative literature review examines the competencies of cross-cultural training for expatriate employees and their implications for organizations that deploy employees to work in different cultural settings. Cross-cultural training programs aim to equip individuals with necessary skills for effective work performance and interpersonal relations while interacting with people from different cultures. Although there is extensive research on cross-cultural training in general, the specific competencies delivered through such training have not been fully identified and examined. This article highlights five core competencies including cultural knowledge, cross-cultural communication, cultural self-awareness, cultural adaptation, and cultural sensitivity. They are critical for expatriate employees’ success in transitioning to a new cultural environment, interacting with local people, and avoiding cultural misunderstandings. The findings have significant implications for practitioners and scholars in the fields of Human Resources Development, particularly those training and development in the international context. Keywords: expatriate training; cross-cultural training; cultural training.
