Exploring the supporting factors of expatriate adjustment in the game industry - The case of a major Finnish game company

Abstract

Objectives The main objectives of this study were to observe the how relocation support influences the adaptation process and the employees in the game industry facilitate that. The relationships between an individual’s readiness to adapt and outside forces were measured as well.

Summary The video game industry is a very international industry and up to 20% of the employees in Finland originally came from abroad. The adaptation to the new environment can be measured by considering personal abilities and the support a self-initiated expatriate receives.

This study covers the effects that relocation support is perceived to have and how it impacts self-initiated expatriates. Additionally, cultural intelligence of Finnish game company workers was evaluated to facilitate the adaptation and how their mindsets support working in international teams.

Conclusions The relocation support as well as the atmosphere in Finnish game companies was perceived to both substantially influence the way self-initiated expatriates adapt to the new environment. The effects ranged from reduced stress to better involvement in team efforts.