Final answer:
Cross-cultural adaptation is crucial for expatriate success. Work content significantly influences job satisfaction. The Army Beta test was used for non-English speaking Army recruits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most critical element in determining expatriate success is often considered to be b) Cross-cultural adaptation. While technical skills and language proficiency are certainly important, the ability to adapt to a different culture significantly affects an expatriate's personal and professional life, impacting their ability to communicate effectively, form relationships, and navigate the nuances of the host country's work environment.
As for the most strongly predictive factor of overall job satisfaction, research suggests that d) work content is highly influential. While financial rewards and autonomy are relevant, the intrinsic nature of the work and the ability to find it meaningful and engaging often lead to higher job satisfaction.
Regarding the test used for Army recruits not fluent in English, the Army Beta test was designed during World War I to assess the abilities of illiterate or non-English speaking recruits. This was an alternative to the Army Alpha, which required literacy and English language proficiency.