In its simplest term, expatriate failure could be defined as ‘premature return’. However, Harzing (1995,
p.2) argues that this definition ‘might be very inadequate way to measure expatriate failure’, as the
ones who stay but failed to achieve expected performances are more damaging to the organisation.
According to Lee (2007), it should also include the expatriates that failed to adapt, to learn new things
or to meet expected performance standards. Bruning and McCaughey (2005) argue that it amounts to
‘an expatriate’s premature return from the international assignment or underperformance whilst
conducting the assignment’. Harzing and Christensen (2004, p.7) defines expatriate failure as ‘the
inability of [an] expatriate to perform according to the expectations of the organisation’. This definition
include both under-performance during the international assignment including premature return and the
inappropriate repatriation –permanent departure or dysfunction after return (ibid, p.7).
As the objective is to successfully complete the international assignment, a broad definition of
expatriate failure should be considered.