Describe the big five personality traits and how they relate to expatriate assignments.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Evidence shows that extroversion makes it somewhat easier to adapt to a new culture, and extroverts are therefore less likely to terminate an expatriate assignment early. People high on the Openness to Experience Scale also adjust better to a foreign culture. There isn’t much effect on ability to enter a different culture from being highly conscientious, but agreeable individuals do adjust to a new culture well and are less likely to terminate an assignment early. Finally, people high on the Neuroticism Scale tend to have trouble adjusting to a new culture and are more likely to terminate an international assignment early.