The final chapter of this study includes a summary of the research results, implications, research limitations and suggestions for further research. This study was conducted to respond to the three research purposes mentioned in chapter one. The following section describes the main results achieved for each purpose.
Firstly the study aimed at understanding the job content and work environment of foreign government representatives, as well as to explore the major challenges they face while serving in Taiwan, giving and introduction to the overall context of the foreign government representative field in Taiwan. The findings of this study identified five main job responsibilities of foreign government representatives: serve, assist and meet the needs of their fellow countrymen in Taiwan; share and explain their countries values and policies; support their country’s businesses, as well as economic partnerships in Taiwan; analyze, report, and give solutions to relevant political events; and run the daily management operations of their offices. These responsibilities are achieved through a set of job functions and tasks, carried out in a highly multicultural work environment. The personal and professional challenges faced by practitioners in the field revolve around the effects of globalization, an increase in public relations demands, human resource and cross-cultural issues.
Secondly the research also had as a purpose to explore how foreign government representatives in Taiwan have acquired and developed their individual competencies. The study suggest that the competency development stage of foreign government representatives is guided by a social learning process and later enhanced by intentional self-development changes. Work experience and on-the-job learning methods guided by these two processes represent the way in which foreign government representatives in Taiwan have acquire their competencies through learning experiences from interactions with other colleagues, learning experiences while living abroad and socializing with the local community; as well as challenging assignments and also being guided by previously set goals, in this way developing the skills necessary to holder their positions and perform efficiently and effectively in Taiwan.
Finally the findings of the study identified the individual competencies required for foreign government representatives in Taiwan in order to be more efficient and effective in their job.
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Following the ASTD competency model, this study identified three levels of competency categorization. Foundational level competencies can be seen as a basic requirement for any expatriate candidate. The focus level areas of expertise are those specialized skills of individuals working in the foreign service field. The top execution level determine the different roles played by foreign government representative within their organizations. Following, figure 5.1 better illustrates this adaptation of the ASTD competency model to fit the foreign government representative profession:
Figure 5.1. Adaptation of the ASTD competency model to the foreign government representative field
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Research Implications
The findings of this study have implications for Ministries of Foreign Affairs in their respective countries and for foreign government representatives serving in Taiwan.
1. For Ministries of Foreign Affairs
Foreign ministries officials in charge of appointing their representatives should add to their selection criteria individuals with high level of interpersonal or people skills, which mean individuals with high abilities in social interactions and global mindset, as well as with a more economic profile.
Also official in charge of this selection process must consider giving priority to capable individuals who had lived and have an understanding of the country in which they will be assigned to serve. Seen in the context of individual competencies for international assignment, the foundational competencies identified represent a minimum that should be included as essential part of the selection criteria.
In addition, Foreign Service ministries officials in charge of training future diplomats can base their training programs around the previously mentioned competency model to actively meet the expectations for new and continuing professionals in the field. At the same time such programs should include as part of the development process having an experience abroad and should offer language and cross-cultural training in order to increase awareness of Taiwan, to facilitate the adaptation of foreign government representatives and reduce the risk of becoming vulnerable to culture shock.
2. For foreign government representatives serving in Taiwan
Seasoned and high raking foreign government representatives serving in foreign missions in Taiwan, should transmit their knowledge and abilities to the younger generations through skillful mentoring. This activity not just gives a hand in the adaptation process of newcomer officials to the Taiwan work environment, but also helps to assist the process of mutual collaboration, and
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can even serve to confront the demands for continued learning and upgrading caused by rapid technological and economic developments.
At the same time, heads of mission should provide their subordinates the opportunities to grow professionally through the delegation of developmental assignments, which not only expand a foreign government representative’s responsibilities but also serve as a tool for practicing and acquiring new skills, while giving constant feedback after such assignments. In addition, in order to better develop themselves, these individuals must be clear about the individual roles they must carry within their respective missions.
Research Limitations
As it is expected, this study was not free from limitations. Firstly, because of the scarcity of official representatives working on foreign missions, the sample size was limited; furthermore, the study initially aimed at including more participants, however because of time restrains and the inability of some participants it had to be confined to ten. Most importantly, eighty percent of the final sample was originated from the Latin American continent, creating an over representation of this region.
Secondly, given the sensibility of some of the information managed by these government officials, as well as the sometimes limited access to these types of institutions, the researcher could not fully explore and take into account all the aspects of their work in order to have a more complete view of competency demands for this profession. Even so, to increment the amount of information regarding this topic, this study used three different methods in order to increase the sources of data.
Thirdly, this study didn’t not take into account the differences between official accredited diplomatic missions – such as embassies, and the non-diplomatic missions – such as commercial, trade or cultural offices, including both type of entities in the foreign mission category, even though the nature of the job carried out in these organization do have some dissimilarities.
Finally, the research focused specifically on Taiwan and its implications could to some degree be extended to the greater East Asia region. However, this study did not aim to build a
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universal competency model for foreign government representatives. Therefore, a generalization of the results in this study to other regions should be carried out with caution.
Suggestions for Future Research
For future research on this topic, firstly it would be recommended to increase the sample size and attempt to have a more balance representation of world regions. With a large enough sample and after designing an appropriate competency assessment questionnaire, a quantitative approach could offer a different perspective on competency needs and levels of superior performance for this field.
In addition, it can also be useful to conduct a separate research for the two different type of foreign missions included in this study, as well as a more in detail research of each distinct role.
This would have as a consequence a better applicability of the findings, and more specific tasks oriented results, and can help understand how foreign mission relate and cooperate with one another, as well as how the roles carried out within them are integrated to fulfill their proposed objectives.
Finally, for a more socio-politically driven study, it could be also important to explore the personal perceptions of foreign government representatives in Taiwan, regarding Taiwan’s relation with China, the diplomatic competition between these two states, cross-strait relations, as well as the future of Taiwan’s position in the East Asia region and the rest of the world, in relation to their roles as members of the international system. In doing so such study could explore more in depth the significance and engagement this field has in this part of the world.
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APPENDIX A: OBSERVATION JOURNAL
Tuesday Feb. 21 - Day 1 Internship Orientation
The embassy of Nicaragua is located in Diplomatic Corps building of Taiwan. This building also houses many other embassies, as well as the Taiwan’s International Cooperation development Fund (Taiwan ICDF).
Embassy staff:
- Ambassador (Nicaragua)
- Administrative and consular Attaché (Nicaragua) - Military Attaché (Nicaragua)
- Finance (Taiwan) - Secretary (Taiwan)
Activities
Translate a statement of the Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign Affairs from Spanish to English.
Testimonies
Conversation with administrative and consular attaché:
- Both the ambassador and consul are appointed directly by the president.
- Normally in other countries the consular office is separated from the embassy, but this is not the case for Taiwan.
- A big part of the consuls functions have to do with serving conational’s in need of passport and travel assistance.
- Another part is to deal with people both local and conational’s and look after personal problems.
- The most serious cases are overlooked by the ambassador. (Example: Nicaraguan students with serious issues).
- Even though the consulate should be a separate entity it’s necessary to give constant support to the ambassador.
- Everything must be written down to avoid any kind of confusions.
- The heads of mission in embassies receive the title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
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- In the past embassies and ambassadors were revered as more important than commercial offices and their directors, because of the diplomatic support offered to the nation of Taiwan. Now as commercial interests are growing rapidly, trade offices have reached the same level of importance.
- Social receptions are the perfect opportunity to make new contacts and get together with other contacts. The more contacts the more changes there is to establish relations, whether of aid, cooperation or trade.
- Another function of the administrative and consular attaché in reception and meetings is to write up the “memory aid” which includes writing down the participants, topic raised, points agreed on, opinions etc., in order to keep record.
Field notes
Content part Reflective part The ambassador is the
maximum authority
The ambassador is treated and approached with great respect by all the embassy staff. One can feel his strong presence when he enters the room. Everything must have his final approval.
Any kind of official communication is done by writing.
Any kind letter or statement issued by the embassy is done with extremely formality; therefore the use of computers is indispensable. Word and Google translate are real time savers
Thursday Feb. 23 – Day 2 Activities
Elaborate a farewell letter to the ambassador of the Salomon Islands who will be discharge from his post.
Make the necessary arrangements to prepare a dinner organized by the Nicaraguan embassy in name of Taiwan’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Testimonies
Brief conversation with ambassador:
- The embassy is constantly promoting the entry of Nicaragua products to the Taiwan market.
- The ambassador personally receives and looks after delegations of Nicaraguan businessmen that arrive in Taiwan to explore the possibilities of trade.
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- Promotes the country as an investment opportunity and touristic destination. A way of doing this is to attend fairs and trade exhibitions all over Taiwan.
Field notes
Content part Reflective part Taiwanese staff is
proficient in Spanish
Taiwanese staff can all speak perfect Spanish and one can sense their willingness to support the Nicaraguan representatives. They open more and seem more relaxed when ambassador talks in Mandarin with them.
Thursday March 1 - Day 3 Activities
Write up news report covering the events of Feb. 28 (228) and reactions of the Taiwanese society.
Make arrangements for the upcoming visit of the Head Chief of the Nicaraguan Armed Forces to
Make arrangements for the upcoming visit of the Head Chief of the Nicaraguan Armed Forces to