Expatriate Leaders of International Development Projects: Creating Success in an Unforgiving Environment

This book provides a scholarly analysis of the experiences of six expatriate leaders who managed USAID international development projects in 26 countries, identifying factors that contributed to their success or failure and offering recommendations for improving international development. It is essential reading for international development leaders, practitioners, and scholars.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2021
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Drawing on the rich experiences of six expatriate leaders who collectively amassed over 78 years of managing United States Agency for International Development (USAID) international development projects across 26 countries worldwide, this book offers a scholarly analysis of their narratives. It identifies the key factors that these leaders encountered while overseeing these projects, and then integrates these factors into a comprehensive theory that explains and helps define their success or lack thereof. The book provides valuable recommendations on how to navigate and overcome the challenges that these expatriate leaders faced during their tenure.

For decades, international development projects have been instrumental in delivering U.S. foreign aid, aiming to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. While policymakers have given considerable attention to determining which countries receive U.S. foreign aid and the allocation of funds, there has been limited focus on understanding the challenges faced by the expatriate leaders recruited to manage these projects. These leaders operate within diverse multi-organizational contexts and culturally complex developing country environments, making their roles exceptionally complex and demanding.

Even less is known about the factors that these expatriate leaders experience that could explain and help define their success or lack thereof in managing international development projects. This book fills a critical gap in the literature by shedding light on the experiences of these leaders and offering valuable insights into the factors that contribute to their success or failure.

The book is organized into five chapters, each exploring a different aspect of the expatriate leadership experience. In the first chapter, the authors provide an overview of the international development landscape and the role of expatriate leaders within it. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that these leaders face, as well as the unique skills and qualities that they need to succeed.

The second chapter delves into the personal experiences of the six expatriate leaders, highlighting their backgrounds, motivations, and challenges they encountered while managing international development projects. The authors use their narratives to shed light on the factors that influenced their decision-making processes, their communication strategies, and their ability to adapt to different cultural contexts.

In the third chapter, the authors analyze the factors that expatriate leaders experience while managing international development projects. They identify key challenges such as cultural differences, language barriers, political instability, and resource constraints. They also explore the factors that contribute to success, such as effective leadership, strong teamwork, collaboration, and adaptability.

The fourth chapter integrates the factors identified in the previous chapters into a comprehensive theory that explains and helps define the success or lack thereof of expatriate leaders in managing international development projects. The theory is grounded in the principles of effective leadership, organizational culture, and cross-cultural communication. It provides a framework for understanding the challenges and opportunities that expatriate leaders face, and offers recommendations on how to navigate and overcome them.

The fifth chapter concludes the book by offering practical recommendations on how to deal with and overcome the challenges that expatriate leaders encounter while managing international development projects. The authors suggest strategies such as building strong relationships with local stakeholders, developing cultural sensitivity and adaptability, and fostering collaboration among diverse teams. They also emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, as the landscape of international development is constantly evolving.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for international development leaders, practitioners, and scholars, as well as foreign aid policymakers. It provides a scholarly analysis of the experiences of six expatriate leaders who have played a crucial role in managing USAID international development projects across the globe. By identifying the key factors that these leaders experienced and integrating them into a comprehensive theory, the book offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that expatriate leaders face while managing international development projects. The practical recommendations provided in the fifth chapter offer practical guidance on how to navigate and overcome these challenges, ensuring that international development efforts are successful and sustainable.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 158 x 238 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839096310