Challenges facing Kenyan diplomats returning from posting abroad
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Date
2014
Authors
Owade, Philip Richard Okanda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The study focused on the challenges experienced by returning Kenyan diplomats. They return with new
skills and international experience but lace problems of adjusting to home cultures. It is important to
develop and retain returning diplomats/diplomats who possess global knowledge and experience
in international business. This study focused on diplomats who have returned to Kenya over the
last IOycars since their last tour of duty and especially between 2008-2013. it covers all
categories of diplomats, diplomatic staffs and their families. A descriptive research design will
be adopted [or this study. The content analysis will be used to analyse the respondents' views on
the strategic planning practices that the ministry has adopted. The data will then be coded to
enable the responses to be grouped into categories. Descriptive statistics will be used mainly to
summarize the data. This will include percentages and frequencies. A r.ickert scale and the use
of Statistical Package [or Social Sciences (SPSS version 12.0) will be employed. Tables, Pie
charts and other graphs will be used as appropriate to present the data collected [or ease of
understanding and analysis. Measures of central tendency will be applied (mean, median, mode
and percentages) for quantitative variables. The study found out that it is not only the work
environment that changes but also the society and the diplomats during the international
assignment. Cultural identity changes and demographic factors in particular have a direct effect
on the returning diplomats' experience. Returning diplomats and their families have to deal with
all the problems connected with housing, work for the spouse and schooling [or the children
upon return home; cultural changes come slowly and therefore returning diplomats are not
always aware of the changes that have taken place over time; there are some financial di fficultics
that the diplomats encounter; returning diplomats loose the morale to perform because of
deprived authority, status and control offered by their international assignment. The study also
established that lack of returning diplomats' adjustment programmes including that for family
members arc the leading causes of failure of the foreign policy. Therefore success CuI
implementation of the Kenyan foreign policy framework calls Cor adequate Funding and
strengthening of the Ministry. These should be reviewed with a view to human resource policies
that create good international relations with other countries but also motivates its diplomats so as
[0 enhance their performance. The study recommends open communication with diplomats and
their families to be deployed in relevant departments in the ministry. The socio- resettlement
should also be addressed to enhance their effectiveness and performance .liconornic challenges
pertaining to their resettlement should also be addressed to enhance their effectiveness and
performance.
Description
Department of Public Policy and Administration, 69p. 2014