Barriers and enablers in the learning process of offshore team members: The role of international assignees

Abstract

Through a longitudinal case study of a financial services company offshoring services to Poland, this paper provides insight into the barriers that prevent offshore team members to learn their tasks effectively. Findings also reveal that using expatriates and inpatriates to facilitate the learning process may in fact act as a double edge sword. While helping bridging the distance between onshore and offshore operation, over-parenting by expatriates may create detachment from the part of offshore members who are then less motivated to think independently and learn. And if inpatriation at first helps create social ties between onshore and offshore colleagues - thereby reducing the risk of onshore colleagues hoarding information - and opens careers opportunities that motivate offshore staff to learn; over time it may create frustrations by making offshoring, and in particular associated status and career path differences, visible to all.