Preprint: Appears in SAICSIT 2012 proceedings Internet use and Expatriate Adjustment: Understanding the Degree of Isolation experienced in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Marie Hattingh Department of Informatics University of Pretoria Pretoria, South Africa mariehattingh@yahoo.com Machdel Matthee Department of Informatics University of Pretoria Pretoria, South Africa Machdel.Matthee@up.ac.za Hugo Lotriet School of Computing UNISA Johannesburg, South Africa lotrihh@unisa.ac.za ABSTRACT Expatriate research has indicated that expatriate adjustment is a complex problem given that factors such as the influence of the spouse, cultural training/understanding, fluency in the host language and personality or emotional readiness of the expatriate are key. Considering these challenges in a culturally diverse environment such as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) provides a setting for an interesting study. The on-going PhD study concerning how expatriates use the Internet to adapt to KSA has proposed a theoretical model derived by following Glaser‟s Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM). This paper will report on a specific aspect of this proposed model namely the substantive category “degree of isolation” that references the expatriates the most. In line with the principles of the GTM extant literature were surveyed when the proposed theory reached maturity. This paper describes how the theory of Sense of Community (SOC) was chosen and applied to explain how expatriates, living in compounds in KSA, make sense of the degree of isolation experienced as it addressed the multifaceted nature of isolation as defined by this study. Categories and Subject Descriptors K.4.0 [General] General Terms Human Factors Keywords Expatriate, Internet, Isolation, Saudi Arabia, Sense of Community. 1. INTRODUCTION Research has indicated that expatriate adjustment is a complex problem. Due to the increase in deployment and use of expatriates by organizations [19], high costs associated with expatriates [36], and the emotional upheaval for expatriate families [39], the successful deployment of expatriates to their host country is imperative. Research has shown [21] various factors influence the adaptation to the host country such as the spouse (see for example [16]), lack of cross cultural training/ understanding (see for example [39], [42],) fluency in host language (see for example [39]), and expatriate personality or emotional immaturity (see for example [36]). The potential of the Internet to play a role in successful expatriate deployment has been identified [21] mainly in research projects that examine the cultural dimensions associated with becoming an expatriate [6] and the use of websites to assist expatriate families in political crises through the provision of inexpensive information [32]. The Authors recognise that parallels can be drawn between the studies concerning the use of the Internet for development purposes in the lives of migrant workers as discussed in for example [14], [11] and [38]. However, these types of studies will be explored in more detail later in the research process when considering extant literature related to the proposed theoretical model, as illustrated in figure 1, in accordance with the chosen research methodology. The case of expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been considered due to the researcher residing as an expatriate in KSA. KSA was deemed suitable as 5.6 million of the approximate 27 million people are expatriates according to 2007 [10]. The majority of these expatriates are male therefore in this study when referring to a spouse; the study is referring to the wife/partner of a male expatriate. For the period that expatriates reside in KSA they have to abide by the laws and moral standards of the government and people of the country. There are specific rules relating to dress code, the consumption of alcohol and moral behaviour. Breach of these rules is not crimes in Western society but is treated as punishable crimes in KSA [10]. Expatriates in this study are “protected” from the harsh reality of live in KSA by residing on Westernised compounds [18]. However, in general, the extreme restrictions of living in KSA therefore provide an interesting context in which to study the role of Internet in the lives of expatriates due to the large difference between the culture in KSA and the culture that most expatriates experience in their own countries [21]. Against this background, the authors reported on an on-going PhD study that aims to contribute towards a better understanding of the role of Internet in expatriate adjustment in the KSA [21]. The study is being conducted in Riyadh, the capital of KSA. The study aims to contribute through the development of a substantive grounded theory – a theory that relates to a specific area of enquiry which will provide an understanding of the patterns of expatriate behaviour related to Internet usage in KSA. It has been established that the core concern, which is the main social