Investigating the factors affecting the performance of construction expatriates : a case study of Chinese construction expatriates in Thailand | |
| Author | Gang, Luo Jun |
| Call Number | AIT DISS. no.CM-24-01 |
| Subject(s) | Foreign workers, Chinese--Thailand--Case studies Work environment Delphi method |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Aiming to investigate the factors affecting the performance of the Chinese construction expatriates in Thailand, this thesis outlined a rigorous research process undertaken in three distinct phases. Firstly, a Delphi study was conducted to comprehensively examine the living and working conditions of Chinese construction expatriates in Thailand, emphasizing the significance of technical issues within their working environment. The findings from this initial study laid a solid foundation and guided the subsequent adoption of a Grounded Theory approach in the second phase. Through the second phase, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing construction professionals' adjustment to new technical contexts was obtained. These valuable insights led to the development of a novel framework namely Construction Technical Intelligence (CTQ), which referred to the required abilities that enable international professionals to perform in unfamiliar technical contexts effectively, encompassing four dimensions: technical cognitive skills, behavioral skills, adaptability, and motivation. In the final phase, the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to explore underlying relationships between various aspects such as factors affecting expatriates' living and working conditions, CTQ, Cultural Intelligence (CQ), and Individual Work Performance (IWP). The outcomes demonstrated a significant correlation between factors affecting Chinese expatriates' living/working conditions (degree of impact) and IWP, with CTQ moderating the relationship. By integrating the collaborative insights from the Delphi study, the Grounded Theory approach, and the SEM, this framework offered a holistic perspective on the intricate dynamics and interplay between various factors that influence expatriates' successful adjustment and individual work performance. This approach provided theoretical insights into the mechanisms underlying expatriate adjustment and practical implications for organizations seeking to support their international workforce. Particularly, it offered a fresh and novel perspective to explore construction expatriates' ivadaptation to new environments and opens up new avenues for understanding the complexities involved in their adjustment process, thereby contributing both theoretically and practically to the field of international project management. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Construction Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Santoso, Djoen San,; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chotchai Charoenngam;Chao, Kuo Chieh; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Scholarships; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |