heinternationalemploymentenvironmenthaschangedbeyondrecognitioninrecentyears.Traditionally,itwascharacterisedbyperiodicandpre-definedexpatriationassignments.Expatswouldmoveabroadformediumtolong-termtimelengthstoaparticularcountry,andbesituatedinaspecificofficeworkingfortheirchosencompany.However,withtheadventoftechnologyandtheevolutionofmulti-nationalorganisations–togetherwiththeriseofneweconomies–theexpatcultureisgivingwaytomorefluid,fast-movingandfar-reachingprofessionallandscape.Wearelivinginanageoftotalglobalmobility.Therearenobarrierstobusiness.Employeesworkacrosscountriesandcontinents.Astheybecomemorereadilymobile,thepaceofthischangeacceleratesinturn,withshorter-termassignments,greatergeographicalspread,borderlessfinancialtransactions,andsoon.