Question

You work in the human resource department at the headquarters of a multinational corporation. Your company is about the send a number of managers overseas as expatriates to France and New Zealand. You need to create an executive summary evaluating, comparing, and contrasting the possible issues expats may encounter in these two countries. Your manager tells you that a tool called Expat Explorer created by HSBC can assist you in your task.

Be sure your executive summary includes the following:

a. An evaluation of the possible issues expats may encounter in France and New Zealand.

b. A comparison of the possible issues expats may encounter in France and New Zealand.

c. A contrast of the possible issues expats may encounter in France and New Zealand.

Answer 1

Expats in France may face complex bureaucracy, language barriers, and a formal work culture, while those in New Zealand deal with geographical isolation and integrating with Māori influences, although they benefit from an English-speaking environment and a more casual work pace.

Step-by-step explanation:

In evaluating the possible issues expats may encounter in France and New Zealand, it is important to recognize that each country presents unique challenges and opportunities. For France, expatriates might face issues such as a complex bureaucracy, language barriers, and adapting to the local work culture that values long lunches and fewer but longer workdays. In contrast, New Zealand offers an easier integration for English-speaking managers, but they may encounter challenges related to geographic isolation and understanding the Māori culture and its influence on business practices.

In comparing the issues between the two countries, both France and New Zealand enjoy high standards of living and offer good healthcare systems, but expats in France will have to navigate a more hierarchical corporate culture compared to New Zealand's more egalitarian approach. Additionally, the cost of living can be substantially higher in France, especially in major cities like Paris.

When contrasting the two, a primary difference lies in the working style and pace, with France having a formal and regulated environment, while New Zealand is known for its laid-back and flexible work culture. Understanding the local language is necessary in France for both professional and social integration, whereas in New Zealand, English suffices, simplifying the transition for expatriates.