The Case For Expatriates

Updated on: 7 February 2024 7:38 pm

Published at: 20 May 1996 12:00 am

Technology and skills transfer is easier.

Steeped in the culture, philosophy and vision of the company, expats can implement strategy in new markets with no time loss.

Expats are more in sync with globalised business practices.

Expats, with their cross-cultural experience, present a great learning opportunity for Indian managers.

Expats coming in with dollar salaries have been instrumental in pushing up Indian managers' salaries.

It's preferable to work under professional expat managers than under non-professional Indian businessmen.

THE CASE AGAINST EXPATRIATES

Expat managers are low on knowledge of the complex Indian market environment:

The management culture the expats bring in is totally alien to the way of functioning Indian managers are used to. As such, expats will not be able to carry an Indian team with them and could prove to be a liability in the transition stage of the economy.

Every expatriate brought into the country represents an opportunity denied to the local manager, whose integration into the world economy is delayed to that extent.

Expats brought in on global salaries cause a lot of resentment among lower-paid Indian managers.

While Indian managers need to integrate with the world economy, expats need to integrate with the Indian market. However, their "I know it all" attitudes make them misfits.