Cross‐cultural training: A critical step in ensuring the success of international assignments

In an effort to attain and sustain global competitiveness, organizations are increasingly focused on developing the requisite skills for success in the international marketplace. In many cases, this goal is sought through the cross-border deployment of personnel. This article is concerned with cross-cultural training programs for increasing the success and effectiveness of these assign-ees. In doing so, this article examines the rationale for cross-cultural training, the objectives behind it, the various program components, and the limitations to such training efforts. It offers a brief discussion of ancillary workforce development programs for all corporate personnel and consultant selection considerations, and concludes with an overview of future trends in the field. The theories and insights contained in this article are based on both the research literature and our own consulting experiences. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.