Fitting in: Surface- and Deep-Level Cultural Differences and Expatriates’ Adjustment

Abstract

This study examined the impact of surface- and deep-level cultural differences on the cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates. Surface-level differences concern easily visible dissimilarities between home and host countries, and deep-level differences refer to dissimilarities in basic values. Overall, results indicated that surface-level cultural differences were most strongly related to general adjustment. Deep-level cultural differences regarding the “self-transcendence” value dimension were related to work and interaction adjustment.