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Managing expatriates in China
BOOKS FOR MANAGERS
Know Where We're Going Till We're There':
The Times they are a-changing, But not the old taboos On asking where they're going, Or what it's for, or whose. We've been M. B. O. 'd and Down-sized, We've been T.Q.M. 'd, Divested; Process-Cost-Re-Engineered, Re-Structured, Dis-Invested. Kept up with all the 'ologies', Each 'Go-for-change' idea; Read every trendy guru's book And business panacea; Consorted with consultants, Bought their 'this-should-fit-it' isms, Gone round and round the circuits Of computing cataclysms. So, keep the gimmicks coming, Lord, To save us all from needing Such obsolescent, antique things As caring, thinking, leading.
Inge Adams
Managing Expatriates in China Published by Price Waterhouse, International Assignment Services, (Mari Simpson), 1995, £.150, Southampton, Tel. (01703 330077) Selecting the right expatriates for the China market can be a difficult exercise for many companies say Price Waterhouse in their new report on Managing
Expatriates in China. Along with the pleasure of working in the world's most dynamic and stimulating marketplace and the experience of a very different and fascinating culture, expatriates should be prepared for the challenges including social, environmental and health issues. Family concerns are usually considered to be secondary to the company's needs in recruiting the person with the right qualifications for the job but, according to the report, they should be given greater recognition. Do not consider the spouse
to be of secondary importance say Price Waterhouse, as the success of the assignment may hinge on his or her ability to adjust to China. A number of expatriates interviewed in the report who had left their family at home, admitted to feeling the pressure of spending a good deal of time alone. But the spouse accompanying the expatriate also has to cope with difficulties. 'Because of the work routine and pressure of working a six, sometimes seven day week, the expatriates themselves may be less exposed to the problems of everyday life in the location than their families' says Marl Simpson, the HR specialist who visited China to conduct the oneto-one interviews with expatriates working there. Of some 50 expatriates interviewed, only two were female, so to present a more balanced view she also spoke to a number of 'trailing spouses', all female, some working and some not. Families approaching an assignment to China with a positive and open frame of mind, say Price Waterhouse, are likely to adapt more readily to the culture and to benefit from the experience. Those centred on Beijing are deemed to enjoy the best location, with tourist attractions such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and The Forbidden City as well as beautiful nearby countryside, easily reached for picnics and outings. Life is more restricted for those who would rather give exercise a miss, for much social life revolves around the sports club. Difficulty in making friends with people outside the expatriate community can leave some families feeling isolated. 'The way my wife can spend time is limited . . . shopping, the market,
EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT JOURNAL Vol 13 No 3 September 1995
friends, very little social life' said one expatriate. Integration is often easier if the spouse can work, either full or part time, and Price Waterhouse highlights ways in which companies can assist by paying for the spouse to learn the language or other skills, as well as develop a network with other companies to publicise job opportunities. Companies should be aware that the infrastructure is poor, cuts in the electricity supply are common, and the high levels of pollution in most cities are a worry. The quality of the drinking water is questionable and the alternative of using imported water at $3 per bottle is expensive. Poor air quality puts children at particular risk of respiratory complaints especially in the winter months when coal burning adds to the level of fumes from traffic and industry. The health risks in such an environment are real and welldocumented: Price Waterhouse warns of the need to spell out in advance to families the realities of what expatriates in China perceive as limited medical care. While there are international clinics and medical centres, expatriates reported concerns over the level of care and standards of hygiene in local hospitals. Given this analysis and the experience of the expatriates interviewed, emergency evacuation insurance cover is strongly advised. Unlike some locations such as Russia where crime is on the increase, security is not an issue for expatriates in China, where penalties for crimes against foreigners are serious. The contrasts of life in China are exemplified in Beijing, where sweeping avenues, modern high rise office blocks and five star hotels sit side by side with narrow alleyways, poor housing and streets crowded with thousands of bicycles. 337
BOOKS FOR MANAGERS
The sheer volume of traffic makes getting anywhere quickly impossible and some expatriates report that road conditions have worsened to such an extent that driving in the cities is no longer viable. Some multinational companies have gone so far as to enforce a ban on expatriates driving cars, due to the road conditions as
338
well as the risk of accident which sometimes creates situations of great difficulty for foreigners. A number of expatriates brave bicycles, and some do drive, but many consider the difficulties of travel limits their personal freedom and restrains their social activity.
Waterhouse that even in a location like Beijing which is considered to be an easier city than many others, expatriates need to take a break every three to four months. Conditions are improving but it is still a difficult environment in which to spend long periods of time.
Companies are reminded by Price
Paul Stonham
EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT JOURNAL Vol 13 No 3 September 1995
Know Where We're Going Till We're There':
The Times they are a-changing, But not the old taboos On asking where they're going, Or what it's for, or whose. We've been M. B. O. 'd and Down-sized, We've been T.Q.M. 'd, Divested; Process-Cost-Re-Engineered, Re-Structured, Dis-Invested. Kept up with all the 'ologies', Each 'Go-for-change' idea; Read every trendy guru's book And business panacea; Consorted with consultants, Bought their 'this-should-fit-it' isms, Gone round and round the circuits Of computing cataclysms. So, keep the gimmicks coming, Lord, To save us all from needing Such obsolescent, antique things As caring, thinking, leading.
Inge Adams
Managing Expatriates in China Published by Price Waterhouse, International Assignment Services, (Mari Simpson), 1995, £.150, Southampton, Tel. (01703 330077) Selecting the right expatriates for the China market can be a difficult exercise for many companies say Price Waterhouse in their new report on Managing
Expatriates in China. Along with the pleasure of working in the world's most dynamic and stimulating marketplace and the experience of a very different and fascinating culture, expatriates should be prepared for the challenges including social, environmental and health issues. Family concerns are usually considered to be secondary to the company's needs in recruiting the person with the right qualifications for the job but, according to the report, they should be given greater recognition. Do not consider the spouse
to be of secondary importance say Price Waterhouse, as the success of the assignment may hinge on his or her ability to adjust to China. A number of expatriates interviewed in the report who had left their family at home, admitted to feeling the pressure of spending a good deal of time alone. But the spouse accompanying the expatriate also has to cope with difficulties. 'Because of the work routine and pressure of working a six, sometimes seven day week, the expatriates themselves may be less exposed to the problems of everyday life in the location than their families' says Marl Simpson, the HR specialist who visited China to conduct the oneto-one interviews with expatriates working there. Of some 50 expatriates interviewed, only two were female, so to present a more balanced view she also spoke to a number of 'trailing spouses', all female, some working and some not. Families approaching an assignment to China with a positive and open frame of mind, say Price Waterhouse, are likely to adapt more readily to the culture and to benefit from the experience. Those centred on Beijing are deemed to enjoy the best location, with tourist attractions such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and The Forbidden City as well as beautiful nearby countryside, easily reached for picnics and outings. Life is more restricted for those who would rather give exercise a miss, for much social life revolves around the sports club. Difficulty in making friends with people outside the expatriate community can leave some families feeling isolated. 'The way my wife can spend time is limited . . . shopping, the market,
EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT JOURNAL Vol 13 No 3 September 1995
friends, very little social life' said one expatriate. Integration is often easier if the spouse can work, either full or part time, and Price Waterhouse highlights ways in which companies can assist by paying for the spouse to learn the language or other skills, as well as develop a network with other companies to publicise job opportunities. Companies should be aware that the infrastructure is poor, cuts in the electricity supply are common, and the high levels of pollution in most cities are a worry. The quality of the drinking water is questionable and the alternative of using imported water at $3 per bottle is expensive. Poor air quality puts children at particular risk of respiratory complaints especially in the winter months when coal burning adds to the level of fumes from traffic and industry. The health risks in such an environment are real and welldocumented: Price Waterhouse warns of the need to spell out in advance to families the realities of what expatriates in China perceive as limited medical care. While there are international clinics and medical centres, expatriates reported concerns over the level of care and standards of hygiene in local hospitals. Given this analysis and the experience of the expatriates interviewed, emergency evacuation insurance cover is strongly advised. Unlike some locations such as Russia where crime is on the increase, security is not an issue for expatriates in China, where penalties for crimes against foreigners are serious. The contrasts of life in China are exemplified in Beijing, where sweeping avenues, modern high rise office blocks and five star hotels sit side by side with narrow alleyways, poor housing and streets crowded with thousands of bicycles. 337
BOOKS FOR MANAGERS
The sheer volume of traffic makes getting anywhere quickly impossible and some expatriates report that road conditions have worsened to such an extent that driving in the cities is no longer viable. Some multinational companies have gone so far as to enforce a ban on expatriates driving cars, due to the road conditions as
338
well as the risk of accident which sometimes creates situations of great difficulty for foreigners. A number of expatriates brave bicycles, and some do drive, but many consider the difficulties of travel limits their personal freedom and restrains their social activity.
Waterhouse that even in a location like Beijing which is considered to be an easier city than many others, expatriates need to take a break every three to four months. Conditions are improving but it is still a difficult environment in which to spend long periods of time.
Companies are reminded by Price
Paul Stonham
EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT JOURNAL Vol 13 No 3 September 1995