The Effects Of Supervisor-subordinate Goal Congruence On Performance And Turnover Intentions During Expatriation

This dissertation investigates how the quality of the relationship between sending supervisors and expatriates is related to turnover and performance. Utilizing goal congruence and social exchange theories, it is hypothesized that the quality of the relationship between sending supervisors and expatriates mediates goal congruence and the two outcome variables: performance and turnover intentions. Additionally, it is hypothesized that three international factors related to sending supervisors and their business units as well as repatriate plans should be related to goal congruence. The goal examined is the degree to which the expatriation fits into expatriates' career paths at the firm. Regression analysis is used to test the three sets of hypotheses with a sample of 44 matched sending supervisor-expatriate dyads. Analysis of survey and archival data shows some support that goal congruence is related to expatriate's performance through social exchange relationships.