| International assignments are one method multinational organizations use to address the need for talented and skilled professionals when launching or developing international offices, establishing an intercontinental sales force, or considering foreign business opportunities. In a growing global market, meeting organizational needs cost effectively is critical to business operations. Studies of international assignment costs have been limited to success and failure rates and the value of benefits received. The impact on assignment costs of specific variables such as host-home country combinations and family size had not been studied. That gap in the literature is what the current study addressed, through an analysis of family demographics, tax burdens, and salary. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore the potential of various home-host assignment combinations to maximize the efficiency of long-term international assignments. A matrix was developed identifying the most cost-effective home-host combinations. The results of this research will help global businesses make decisions on international assignments in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. |
