Case Study 4

Online Communities Support

Expats’ Spouses

NAME: HEET DILIPKUMAR

JOSHI

(C0816225@mylambton.ca)

Submitted: Professor Eileen Knight

 HRM SOCIAL

Online Communities Support Expats’ Spouses

A common reason cited for the failure of an international assignment is that the expatriate’s
spouse was dissatisfied. The role of an accompanying spouse is difficult; often this person is not
legally allowed to work in the host country, so it is more difficult to find new friends and meaningful
activities.

Employers can help the accompanying spouse make connections. An employer, especially
one with a lot of expatriate employees, might set up its own network for spouses. In The
Netherlands, Eindhoven University of Technology recruits one-third of its employees from other
countries but found that many left after a short period because spouses were unhappy there. It
began offering spouses a “Get in Touch” program of weekly meetings to exchange information and
visit places of interest. Between meetings, the spouses can keep in contact by joining the group’s
Facebook community. After the three-month program ended, many of the participants didn’t want
to stop participating, so the university added a “Stay in Touch” program.

Another approach is to provide information about non-company-related social networks for

expatriate spouses. Spouses may appreciate the chance to build their own circle of friends. One
example is the Trailing Spouse Network, a LinkedIn group where people can share ideas, advice and
support. The Trailing Spouse Network also has a Facebook page.

Increasingly often, the accompanying spouse is male. Some men have had an especially
hard time making connections, because support services have been geared to women. Male spouses
might especially welcome information about social networks. In Belgium, for instance, a group of
men set up a group called STUDS (for Spouses Trailing under Duress Successfully), which offers
activities and keeps members connected online with a blog. Even after leaving Belgium, friends who
met in STUDS can keep in touch by posting news and questions on the blog’s website.
Questions.

Q.1) What pros and cons do you see in having an organization set up its own
social network for accompanying spouses and partners?

Answer:

Pros:

1. It is important for wives and partners of expats to take advantage of the

existing network by making new friendships and finding companions. This
will enable expats to concentrate more on their work and worry less about
their spouses.
2. By establishing a social network, organizations can also assist spouses and
partners in finding related jobs, so they can participate in an interesting and
productive activity.
3. It is much easier for expats to work longer hours because their spouses will
not be alone. Therefore, organizations would be able to retain expats more
easily.

Cons:

1. Due to their different backgrounds and cultural preferences, these social

networks will not be useful for all spouses. Socializing on such platforms
may prove difficult for some of them.
2. The organization will need to put some effort into social networking to make
it work. Otherwise, the organization could be more productive by using its
workforce.
3. This program will affect a portion of the organization's budget without the
organization benefiting financially from it. That is, this could mean a
potential increase in a company's expense with no guarantee of a return.
4. Additionally, expatriate spouses are exposed to a security risk. Social
networks may often attract malicious individuals or harm others through
their members.
Q.2) What pros and cons do you see in referring an accompanying spouse or
partner to an outside social network?

Answer:

Pros:

1. For the spouse, connecting with others outside the home opens up a broader
range of possible activities. Social gatherings and outings are more likely to
occur.
2. As a result, the organization's social network will not be impacted by the
grapevine communication that would have formed anyway.
3. There is a broader audience outside of social networks. This will protect
spouses from excessive mental stress caused by boredom through a variety of
newer practices.

Cons:

1. Couples of expats could face difficulties adjusting to their local social

environments due to their different cultural backgrounds.
2. If you join other social networks, your spouse will have a different circle of
friends and social circles from your expat friends. This may result as long-
term negative effect could occur on their relationship.
3. It would also be extremely challenging to find trustworthy partners through
social networks and everyone would not succeed in that endeavor.
4. The social network of an organization offers a sense of security that is absent
from the outside one.