Pre-migration adaptation of highly skilled self-initiated foreign employees: the case of an EU agency

Abstract

This study analyzes pre-migration adaptation among highly skilled self-initiated foreign employees (SFEs) of the EU Chemicals Agency in Finland (N = 95). Organizational, expatriate and acculturation perspectives were integrated to develop a model of factors predicting SFEs' psychological, socio-psychological and work adaptation in the pre-migration stage. Previous international work experience, perceived organizational prestige, satisfaction with the time, information and assistance to prepare for the relocation and quality of contact with Finns during recruitment positively predicted SFEs' pre-migration adaptation. European identification, self-esteem and relocation stress acted as mediators. The study emphasized the importance of a multidimensional approach to SFE adaptation prior to relocation.

Keywords:

• adaptation
• intra-EU migration
• organizational identification
• outgroup attitudes
• pre-migration
• self-initiated foreign employees
• well-being

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the City of Helsinki and the Finnish Ministry of Education. Preliminary results of this study were presented at the14th EAWOP Congress, held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, in May 2009.