Case study : Norwegian expatriates to Spain : viability of theoretical findings for creating expatriation programs

Abstract

This paper examines how a Norwegian manager in Spain experiences the cultural differences, whether adapting to the Spanish culture or facing cultural collisions. Further the paper seeks to establish whether the findings of Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner can be used in developing successful expatriation programs to avoid the problems caused by cultural differences. A tentative research model is introduced based on theoretical findings and their representation to the specific setting of Norway and Spain, which draws on Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s dimensions and on issues of patterns of corporate culture and gender differentiation. The above mentioned model was the basis for an interview guide, designed to answer the two research questions. 6 Norwegian managers with primarily Spanish subordinates were interviewed. The interviews revealed much convergence between the expatriates’ experiences and the findings of Trompenaars and Hampden- Turner, yet only some of the differences proved problematic in their professional lives. The conclusion of the study is that with careful consideration and looking for specific issues, one could use Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s dimensions as tools, along with many other instruments to predict and understand future behavior of Norwegian sojourners in Spain.