The role of human resource department in expatriate assignment

Abstract

This study primarily exammes the role of Human Resource (HR) departments of

Singapore companies in expatriate assignment. In addition, it attempts to explore the

opinions of HR managers and executives on the future trend in expatriate assignments in

Singapore. Thus, the study is exploratory in nature and is based on case studies of two

Singapore companies. These two multinational corporations are Asia Pacific Breweries

·Ltd and Pico Art International Pte Ltd. Their respective HR personnel were interviewed

on their experiences in the management of expatriate assignments. Evidence from the

study reveals that the HR departments of these two companies play similar roles

regarding repatriation planning and the determination of (a) duration ofthe assignment;

(b) positions to be filled by expatriates; (c) selection criteria and methods; and (d) the

compensation packages. Their main differences appear to be in the areas of preparation,

support and evaluation. Despite these differences, both companies are successful in their

management of expatriate assignments. Both companies anticipate that in the near

future, more Singaporeans would be willing to work overseas and, thus, less incentives

would be needed to induce them to accept overseas assignments.