International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM) ||Volume||5||Issue||08||Pages||6659-6663||2017|| Website: www.ijsrm.in ISSN (e): 2321-3418 Index Copernicus value (2015): 57.47 DOI: 10.18535/ijsrm/v5i8.12 Ms.K.P. Varalakshmi, IJSRM Volume 5 Issue 08 August 2017 [www.ijsrm.in] Page 6659 Impact of change orientation on cross cultural adaptability for effective execution of International Assignments Ms.K.P. Varalakshmi, Dr.K. Jawahar Rani Assistant Professor, Department Of Management Studies, Guru Shree Shantivijai Jain College For Women, Vepery ,Chennai Assistant Professor, Department Of Management Studies, St. Josephs College Of Engineering, Jeppiar Nagar, Chennai Abstract Successful assignment of expatriates is a very complex and challenging issue faced by multinationals. Expatriate failures are reported to be very high .This study attempts to find out how change orientation training given to the expatriates leads to cross cultural adaptability in their new International Assignments. It also helps us to know about how expatriates adapt themselves in new culture and environment at both organisational and personal level during their cross-cultural transitions. Majority of expatriates who has undergone cultural training were able to adapt themselves in the new host culture as they were prepared to accept the changes. Expatriates who has not undergone their cultural training finds it difficult to adapt themselves as they are not ready to change orientation and they face a lot of cultural shock.in the host country This study shows the association between change orientation and cross cultural adaptability and if more training is provided by the organisation for their expatriates they can become more change oriented and their adaptability also increases. The empirical study shows that there are differences between some of the demographic factors and cross-cultural adaptation. Keywords:, Expatriates, change orientation, cross cultural adaptability. Introduction Expatriates are employees who are transferred out of their home base into some other area of the firm’s international operations. MNCs have shown a strong commitment to International Training and Orientation. If business has to be managed effectively in an International setting ,managers need to be educated and trained in International Management skills. In addition to good technical skills,expatriate employees who are working overseas need to be adaptable and have skills in languages and an understanding of social customs ,cultural values, codes of conduct ,motivation and reward system in the host country. They also need assistance in the practical aspects of International Assignment such as housing, school, currency and health issues .Expatriate employees are foreigners in the host country and therefore it is important to provide cultural and practical background before the employee and family are relocated for International Assignments. The word adaptability means which refers to changes that take place in individuals due to changes in their environmental demands .It is the learning process where individuals learn about the new environment how they adapt themselves to the psychological changes and how to successfully transit from one culture. People from one culture move to different culture learning the rules, customs, social norms and language of different cultures. There are different terminologies for adaptation like short term traveller, Sojourner and immigrants. Expatriates lose some of their original cultural habits in order to adapt to the new host environment. Only if they adapt themselves to host culture both at organisational and personal level they can succeed in their International Assignment. This will take place only when proper cross cultural training is given and prepare the expatriates for foreign assignments .Change orientation is provided to expatriates to prepare them for their successful assignment as they can overcome cultural shock and become more competent in the new host culture.