Understanding how expatriates adjust to the various aspects of the host
environment has been a focal point of research within international human
resource management literature for several decades. Person-environment (PE) fit
investigates the degree of „fit‟ an employee has with the various dimensions of
their working environment. Several researchers have suggested that successful
PE fit positively influences work outcomes such as adjustment, job satisfaction
and task performance. However, to the author‟s knowledge, no empirical
research has been conducted on the relationship between PE fit, cross-cultural
adjustment and work-related outcomes. The main aims of this study were to 1)
investigate the overall relationship between PE fit and cross-cultural adjustment
and 2) investigate the overall relationship between PE fit, cross-cultural
adjustment and work-related outcomes. Three hundred and sixty-nine nonconsultant
hospital doctors (NCHDs) working in Ireland filled out the
questionnaire. Backward multiple regression and path analyses were the
statistical approaches used to determine the relationship between PE fit, crosscultural
adjustment and work-related outcomes. The results revealed both direct
and indirect relationships between the three models suggesting that good overall
PE fit on an international assignment can positively influence an expatriate‟s
overall cross-cultural adjustment and overall work-related outcomes. The results
indicate that Human Resources (HR) should focus on maininting expatriates‟
overall PE fit while on an international assignment as higher levels of overall PE
fit can positively influence successful cross-cultural adjustment and work-related
outcomes
