The impact of cultural intelligence on communication effectiveness, job satisfaction and anxiety for Chinese host country managers working for foreign multinationals

Impact of cultural intelligence on the cross-cultural adaptation of international students in China: The mediating effect of psychological resilience

Introduction

Cultural intelligence can affect the cross-cultural adaptation of international students in China, but the mechanism of its influence is still unclear. This study examines the mediating effect of the psychological resilience of international students in China in the process of cultural intelligence affecting cross-cultural adaptation. We used the cultural intelligence scale, psychological resilience scale, and cross-cultural adaptation scale to measure 624 foreign students in China.

Results

(1) There is a significant positive correlation between the cultural intelligence, psychological resilience, and cross-cultural adaptation of international students in China. (2) Resilience plays a mediating effect in the influence of the cultural intelligence of international students in China on cross-cultural adaptation.

Conclusion

The cultural intelligence of international students in China can directly affect their cross-cultural adaptation and can also affect their cross-cultural adaptation through the mediating effect of psychological resilience.

Cultural intelligence and innovative work behavior: examining multiple mediation paths in the healthcare sector in India

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at numerous mediating factors that influence innovative work behavior through cultural intelligence (CQ). The author specifically examines affective commitment, interpersonal trust and psychological well-being as three mediating pathways through which CQ predicts innovative work behavior (IWB).

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 355 employees working in the health-care sector of India through convenience sampling.

Findings

Affective commitment, interpersonal trust and psychological well-being mediated the relationship between CQ and innovative work behavior. In addition, CQ positively relates to affective commitment (AC), interpersonal trust and psychological well-being and IWB.

Practical implications

Managers and human resource (HR) professionals can potentially stimulate employee innovation by developing cultural awareness programs for their employees. An organization must seek to provide a sense of attachment, a trustworthy environment and a favorable perception of psychological well-being to its employees. This could stimulate innovation in the health-care sector.

Originality/value

Although understanding the mechanism or processes by which CQ supports IWB is critical, research in this area is limited. This study theorizes and empirically examines affective commitment, interpersonal trust and psychological well-being as novel mechanisms through which CQ promotes innovative behavior in health-care organizations. Furthermore, the author presume that the intervening mediators guide the direction of social exchange.

The three-phase expatriate cycle of developing global human resources in the banking industry in Taiwan

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the success factors needed for the development of global human resources from both the organisation’s and expatriates’ perspectives in emerging eastern economies. Specifically, this study focuses on pre-expatriation preparation, during-expatriation adjustment and post-expatriation repatriation.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 23 Taiwanese personnel contributed to this case study. Data collected from the focus group discussion and open-ended asynchronous email interviews was analysed using the content analysis approach.

Findings

The results of this study revealed four main selection criteria for the selection process and five desired preparation methods from the organisation and the expatriates’ perspectives.

Originality/value

This study makes two main contributions to cross-cultural related global human resources research. Firstly, this study deepens understanding on the pathway to developing culturally intelligent global human resources for successful mission accomplishment from both the organisation and expatriates’ perspectives based on a three-phase expatriation process in emerging eastern economies. Secondly, this study provides an insight into the best practices that HR practitioners can use in developing global human resources for expatriation.

Interpersonal Mindfulness, Intergroup Anxiety, and Intercultural Communication Effectiveness Among International Students Studying in Russia

In modern psychology, mindfulness is an important resource for psychological well-being and intergroup relations, but its role in intercultural communication effectiveness has not been sufficiently studied. This research aims to identify the interrelationship between interpersonal mindfulness, intergroup anxiety, and intercultural communication effectiveness among international students. The sample includes 337 (M_age = 22.93, SD = 3.11) international students (41.5% of females) from different countries studying in Russian Universities. Interpersonal mindfulness was measured using the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale, Intergroup anxiety using ten items adapted from Stephan and Stephan and used in Gudykunst and Nishida, and Intercultural communication effectiveness using the eight items adapted from Gudykunst’s Perceived Effectiveness of Communication measure. Descriptive analysis, correlations, and mediation analyses were used to process the data. The research findings showed that interpersonal mindfulness has both a direct effect on intercultural communication effectiveness and a mediation effect on intercultural communication effectiveness through intergroup anxiety among the international students.

Cluster Internationalization: Qualitative Review, Theoretical Direction, and the Rise of Emerging Markets’ Themes

The growing phenomenon of cluster internationalization has enriched the existing international business theories, but has also brought new puzzles and problems for these theories and perspectives. To synthesize what we do and do not know concerning cluster internationalization, we employed the qualitative content analysis method, systematically reviewing 348 articles published during the period 1990–2019, as well as 16,486 references. Our review examined five major areas, including citations, co-citations, theoretical foundations, co-occurrence networks, and three-phase research topics (pre-internationalization, internationalization, and post-internationalization) based on ten keywords. Moreover, we found that the research on the internationalization of emerging market clusters has shown a rising trend in recent years. We took China as an example to conduct in-depth research on three types of cluster internationalization (inward internationalization, outward internationalization, and overseas parks) with a view to expanding the academic perspective of the internationalization of emerging economic clusters. Finally, in order to promote further research on cluster internationalization, potential future themes related to cluster internationalization research are discussed.

Developing Intercultural Efficiency: The Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Self-Efficacy

Cultural intelligence measures an individual’s ability to succeed in a culturally unknown environment. Self-efficacy expresses self-confidence in one’s own ability to handle a situation. The two concepts are closely linked, as confirmed by a number of previous studies. Using the multivariate method PLS-SEM, the predictive effect of CQ on self-efficacy is investigated; compared to previous studies, the relationship causality is reversed. A sample of 190 university students was also tested for how this relationship is moderated by two categorical variables: work experience abroad and gender. The results showed that cultural intelligence is a predictor of intercultural self-efficacy in communication. Its impact on the endogenous variable (self-efficacy) is rather weak, but significantly strengthened by work experience abroad. Gender has no effect on this relationship.

The impact of learning in a diversified environment: social and cognitive development of international students for global mind-set

Purpose

This study aims to assess the socio-cognitive transformation and subject knowledge development of international students studying in China's universities with diverse learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected through on-line survey and quantitative approach was adopted on a Likert scale to assess students' cognitive and social development as a responsible mind-set, ethical awareness, understanding cultural diversity and subject knowledge development. The assessment scale consisted of 25 statements to cover the foundational indicators that represent socio-cognitive transformation. The questionnaire was pilot tested for internal consistency by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis was applied to ensure the traits of the construct intended to measure. A total of 316 participants responded to the survey. With descriptive statistics, X2 of association and Friedman’s two-way analysis of variance by rank was applied to test the hypothesis.

Findings

This study argues that diverse learning environment has positive impact on learners’ socio-cognitive transformation. It enhances students' capability to understand cultural values to accept diversity and awareness about global community issues and also subject knowledge skill development.

Originality/value

In the current century, study abroad programs have increased the mobility of international students, and the role of higher education institutions has become immense, multifaceted and dynamic. Universities are taking a position to play a considerable role in creating learning opportunities for awareness of societal issues and transform social behavior. Studying abroad programs is a growing concept in response to learners' cogitative and socialized transformation. There is an absence of research conducted to explore the impact of a diverse cultural environment on the socio-cognitive transformation of international students. Therefore, the current study focused on exploring the cognitive and societal development of international students studying in China.

Cultural intelligence increase student's innovative behavior in higher education: the mediating role of interpersonal trust

Purpose

This paper aims to explore Indonesian students' perceptions of student exchanges or studies abroad regarding cultural intelligence's influence on innovative behavior through interpersonal trust.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used a quantitative research approach. Data analysis uses an approach structural equation modeling-partial least squares (SEM-PLS) supported by program computer software Smart-PLS 3.0. An online questionnaire was distributed to 224 respondents, but only 214 were qualified. In this study, the respondent is Indonesian students who have been completed or are currently conducting student exchanges or studying abroad in the Asia and Australia region.

Findings

This pilot study reveals that high cultural intelligence students positively affect their individuals' innovative behavior. Moreover, interpersonal trust levels would mediate the influence of cultural intelligence on individual innovative behavior students. These results indicate that most Indonesian citizen students who took part in student exchanges or studying abroad had high cultural intelligence.

Originality/value

This study focused on influence cultural intelligence on individuals' innovative behavior, which is referred to as cross-cultural interaction. Also, this study focused on Indonesian citizen students who took part in student exchanges or studying abroad. This kind of research has not been thoroughly or even not been discussed in academic research. Therefore, it was necessary to put this issue into a science education and management science.

Sustainable innovation in the context of organizational cultural diversity: The role of cultural intelligence and knowledge sharing

With the in-depth development of globalization, individuals are increasingly embedded in a culturally diverse environment. Effective communication and management ability (Cultural Intelligence) of employees in this type of diverse and heterogeneous environment impacts behavior and performance, affecting the sustainable innovation ability of organizations. Researchers have not yet fully assessed the impact of individuals' cross-cultural management ability on sustainable innovation. Using Cultural Intelligence Theory and Trait Activation Theory, this paper discusses the influence of individual cultural intelligence on sustainable innovation behavior. The results showed that employees' cultural intelligence positively affected their sustainable innovation behavior. Employee knowledge sharing plays an mediating role between intelligence and behavior. Differences in organizational culture have a negative moderating effect on the impact of employees' cultural intelligence on knowledge sharing and sustainable innovation behaviors. The research results provide theoretical guidance for managing organizational cultural diversity and advancing cultural intelligence and sustainable innovation behaviors among employees.

How Chinese expatriates’ cultural intelligence promotes supervisor-subordinate Guanxi with Thai Employees: The mediating effect of expatriates’ benevolence

This research examines the role of the cultural intelligence (CQ) of Chinese expatriates in supervisory positions at subsidiaries in Thailand, concerning the quality of the supervisor-subordinate guanxi they establish with their Thai employees. Based on the framework of supervisor trust-building, this research tests whether the effect of Chinese expatriates’ CQ on the guanxi established with Thai employees can be mediated by the Chinese expatriates’ benevolence characteristic. This study also examines whether supervisor-subordinate guanxi predicts the Chinese expatriates’ leadership effectiveness. Survey data were collected from 201 dyads of Chinese expatriates and Thai employees at the subsidiaries of Chinese multinational enterprises in Thailand and were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The subsequent results do not significantly support a direct link between the Chinese expatriates’ CQ and supervisor-subordinate guanxi with their Thai employees. However, the effect of Chinese expatriates’ CQ on supervisor-subordinate guanxi is shown to be fully mediated by supervisor benevolence. The analysis also indicates that supervisor-subordinate guanxi significantly explains the leadership effectiveness of Chinese expatriates.

Homesickness in developing world expatriates and coping strategies

This article examines the developing world expatriates’ experience of homesickness when they are deployed to western countries. The research considers the consequences of being homesick on the expatriates and their organisations; the paper then clarifies the strategies used by the expatriates to cope with the condition. The research employed qualitative research built on unstructured interviews with expatriates from the developing world who have been deployed in western countries by their employing multinational. The findings revealed that homesickness has consequences for both expatriates and organisations. These consequences include psycho-social disorder, deterioration of physical health which damagingly affect individual wellbeing, work outcomes and organisational commitment. The practical implications centre on the opportunity for policy and strategy formulation by international HRM within organisations to improve the mental health of developing world expatriates, thus seeding the ingredients for better performance and job satisfaction. Our study makes significant additions to the expatriate literature in exposing the homesickness experiences of expatriates from the developing world in advanced economies. We identify two main coping strategies used by expatriates. The research explicates how developing world expatriates use these strategies in practices.

The influence of cultural intelligence on sales self-efficacy and cross-cultural sales presentations: does it matter for highly challenge-oriented salespeople?

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of the cultural intelligence (CQ) of salespeople, who engage in cross-cultural selling, on the quality of cross-cultural sales presentations (CSSP) they demonstrate. Based on the self-efficacy theory, this research proposes that the effect of CQ on the quality of CSSP is mediated by sales self-efficacy (SSEF). Moreover, this research explores whether the effect of CQ on SSEF and the quality of CSSP can be moderated by the level of challenge orientation (CHO) that salespeople exhibit.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 282 salespeople who work at international tradeshows in Japan, India and Vietnam. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results support the significant effect of sales-efficacy that partially mediates the association between CQ and CSSP. Moreover, the analysis of the moderating effect of CHO significantly shows that the positive association between CQ and CSSP is stronger for salespeople who possess low levels of CHO than those who possess high levels of CHO.

Originality/value

From the theoretical perspective, this research contributes to CQ literature by using the self-efficacy theory as a framework to provide a theoretical explanation as to why CQ could allow salespeople to perform better in sales communication with foreign customers. Moreover, this research broadens the knowledge of previous CQ research by showing that CQ might be particularly more important for individuals who lack CHO attitude toward the tasks they perform.

Does cultural intelligence increase work engagement? The role of idiocentrism-allocentrism and organizational culture in MNCs

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of cultural intelligence (CQ), idiocentrism-allocentrism and organizational culture on work engagement in a multinational organization from the perspective of conservation of resources theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 219 employees of a multinational company (MNC). Partial least squares–structural equation modeling was used to test the research model.

Findings

The results suggest that CQ is positively related to work engagement and that this relationship is moderated by employees’ idiocentrism-allocentrism, as well as by the adaptability dimension of organizational culture.

Research limitations/implications

Greater generalizability of the findings could be achieved with a more geographically dispersed sample. Other cultural dimensions, as well as personal and organizational characteristics, should be considered in order to more clearly ascertain the relationships between these variables.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that CQ is a powerful tool for developing employee engagement within MNCs. Furthermore, a highly adaptive organizational culture and consideration of employees’ cultural values are important in order to enhance the effect of CQ on engagement.

Originality/value

This study identifies relevant resources that can aid in managing a diverse workforce and increasing employee engagement in companies that operate across national borders.

Linking international experience and cultural intelligence development

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the literature on the relationship between international experience (IE) and cultural intelligence (CQ) development, and advocate for the utilization of theory to explain this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of the premise that CQ can be developed through IE, the authors review existing empirical research in regards to this relationship. The authors conducted a search of the main business, education, and psychology databases for articles published from 2003, the year when the CQ construct was introduced, through 2017. The search focused on studies where CQ was tested as a dependent variable or as a mediator between IE and a dependent variable, and resulted in 15 empirical articles and three book chapters.

Findings

A critical analysis of the relationship between IE and CQ reveals considerable variation and inconsistencies among findings within the extant empirical literature. The authors argue that this is mainly because most studies fail to apply a theory to explain the link between these two constructs. The authors draw from social learning theory (SLT) to illustrate how it can be utilized to detail the relationship between IE and CQ development. The authors also suggest how future research can advance the understanding of this relationship, and outline the implications of such examinations for practice.

Originality/value

While substantive knowledge has been generated to understand CQ as an antecedent, the authors investigate CQ development as the dependent variable. The critical review of this literature identifies a specific weakness within previous research and the authors offer a way to resolve it. SLT, which views learning as being affected by both observation and experience, and includes attention, retention, and participative reproduction, is one potentially powerful tool that can explain why and how IE can lead to CQ development. This is a far more fine- grained and detailed approach to understanding and explaining the relationship between the two constructs than provided by previous studies.

The Relationship between Job Demands and Employees' Counterproductive Work Behaviors: The Mediating Effect of Psychological Detachment and Job Anxiety

This study aims to explore the relation between job demands and counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs). A cross-sectional sample of 439 coal miners completed a self-report questionnaire that assessed their job demands, psychological detachment, job anxiety, and CWBs in a Chinese context. The conceptual model, based on the stressor-detachment model, was examined using structural equation modeling. The results suggest that psychological detachment mediates not only the relation between job demands and job anxiety but also that between job demands and CWBs. Furthermore, the relation between job demands and CWBs is sequentially mediated by psychological detachment and job anxiety. Our findings validate the effectiveness of the stressor-detachment model. Moreover, we demonstrate that the underlying mechanism of the relation between job demands and CWBs can be explained by psychological detachment and job anxiety.

Cultural intelligence and job performance

The study generalizes the concept of cultural intelligence (CQ) as a key competency in Indian context due to its diverse cultures. Cultural intelligence is a capability, which increases the manager’s ability to effectively interact with people belonging to other cultures. The purpose of the study is to examine the mediating role of cross-cultural adaptability (CCA) in between CQ and the job performance relationship and the moderating role played by work experience and language proficiency in between CQ and CCA relationship. The data for the study have been collected from 342 managers of nationalized banks in Jammu and Kashmir (India). Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis have been conducted to explore and validate the factor of different constructs. Hypotheses have been tested through structural equation modeling. The study reveals that CCA mediates the relationship between CQ and job performance. Further, previous work experience and language ability act as moderators between the CQ and CCA relationship. Further, moderated mediation analysis also confirmed significant indirect effect. Implications and limitations of the study have also been discussed.

Exploring cultural intelligence truths: A systematic review

Orientation: To identify and report on cultural intelligence truths.Research purpose: To explore cultural intelligence truths by means of a systematic review of the cultural intelligence literature.Motivation for the study: Cultural intelligence truths must be systemised if the business and academic communities are to derive optimal value from the diverse knowledge base.Research design, approach and method: The research was qualitative in nature, comprising a systematic literature review. The period covered was from 01 January 2002 to 31 May 2015. The final number of included studies was 76, representing 48 different journals. Cultural intelligence hypotheses were identified and thematically categorised. Validated hypotheses constituted truths (i.e. truth statements). Key findings are both reported and commented on.Main findings: Cultural intelligence hypotheses may be classified into 13 separate themes plus a ‘not categorised’ group. In total, 60% of the hypotheses on cultural intelligence have given rise to truth statements. Accordingly, there remains some divide between theorised cultural intelligence relationships and how these have played out under empirical investigation.Practical managerial/implications: Business professionals will find it easier to consume the cultural intelligence literature, thereby facilitating their understanding of how best to leverage the knowledge in equipping the workforce to function optimally in cross-cultural interfaces. Scholars will be better positioned to tailor the focus and structure of cultural intelligence studies going forward.Contribution: Cultural intelligence truths have been systematically identified, organised and reported on.

Robustness and cross-cultural equivalence of the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS)

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the cross-cultural equivalence of the four-dimensional 20-item Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) and the two-dimensional 12-item cultural intelligence (CQ) short scale. Furthermore, the study elaborates on the results by discussing the differences between culturally equivalent and culturally non-equivalent items.

Design/methodology/approach

Data gathered from 607 students with a Chinese or Dutch background and mature international experience serve to test the cross-cultural equivalence of the CQS.

Findings

This study addresses the lack of clarity concerning the cross-cultural equivalence of the CQS in the extended domain of empirical research involving CQ. Furthermore, the consequences of the cultural equivalence tests are discussed.

Practical implications

Comparing CQ scores across cultures is only meaningful with the use of the adjusted, two-dimensional scale. Practitioners must be aware of the emic-etic character of the measurement instrument they use.

Originality/value

This study addresses the lack of clarity concerning the cross-cultural equivalence of the CQS in the extended domain of empirical research involving CQ. Furthermore, the consequences of the cultural equivalence tests are discussed.

Trust building with Chinese host country nationals

Purpose

– Integrating the literature on trust building and cultural intelligence, the purpose of this paper is to understand how expatriate managers build trust with their host country nationals (HCNs) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative data collected via extensive interviews with 12 expatriate managers and 34 HCNs from seven multinational companies in Shanghai.

Findings

– The authors find that expatriate managers and HCN managers build trust via competence/ability at the onset. The trust relationship becomes stronger over time with the development of affect-based trust via cultural intelligence of the expatriate managers.

Research limitations/implications

– Implications for theory and practice following the results are discussed.

Originality/value

– This study used the cultural intelligence perspective to understand the trust building process. In addition this study interviewed both sides to the trust dyad; the expatriate manager and the HCN manager. Hence, it provides perspectives from both sides of the trust building process, one of the first studies to do so.

Measuring cultural intelligence (CQ)

Despite an increasing number of publications on cultural intelligence (CQ), the operationalization and conceptualization of this construct demand further attention. In this replication study among 308 experienced overseas Chinese respondents, a two-dimensional structure seems to better represent the data than the original four-dimensional CQ scale. The results of the analysis identify two new dimensions: internalized cultural knowledge and effective cultural flexibility, both of which exhibit satisfactory levels of reliability and validity. A series of regression analyses also provide assessments of the nomological validity of the new CQ dimensions in relation to their antecedents and consequences.