One of the reasons for international assignment is to gain international and cross-cultural experience
and knowledge; therefore it is very important for the MNCs to retain the employee after the
international assignment has been completed. One of the major risks, associated with high costs, is the
difficulty to maintain the expatriates upon their returns to the home country (Downes & Thomas 1999).
Considering these difficulties, expatriates need assistance to settle back in their home country. As part
of the overall IHRM policies and procedures, repatriation programs must have been developed to
tackle two major issues (1) career planning and (2) ‘reverse culture shock’ (Hammer, Hart & Rogan
1998). The GMAC, NFTC & SHRM 2004 survey confirmed that 8% of the expatriates have left the
company during the assignment while 13% within one year of returning and additional 10% within 2
years.