The objective of this study is to determine the factors contributing to expatriate adjustment to life in Malaysia. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and previous research, the independent variables of cultural intelligence, language ability, open-mindedness, tenure in Malaysia, previous overseas experience and monthly income, are used in this study to predict expatriate adjustment. A survey questionnaire was developed and analysis done on 80 expatriates from four industries in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Results of regression analysis using the PROCESS software showed that cultural intelligence, language ability open-mindedness, tenure in Malaysia and gender explained 76.2% of the variance in expatriate adjustment in Malaysia. Furthermore, tenure in Malaysia moderated cultural intelligence. However, previous overseas assignments and monthly income did not have any relationships with expatriate adjustment. The applicability of the conservation of resources theory to explain expatriate adjustment is clearly established in this study as all the variables that are significant predictors of expatriate adjustment are resources.

Theory development in leadership has been researched in different ways, depending on the researcher’s methodological choices and understanding of leadership. Using an inductive analysis based on this study, the influences of Chinese traditional philosophy on leadership have emerged. Specifically, the themes of the influences are pointed to the following Chinese traditional philosophies: (1) Spiritual- Buddhism; (2) Humanity-Confucianism; (3) Naturalistic-Taoist philosophy; and (4) Strategic- Sun Zi Art of War. The knowledge and evaluated understanding of the Chinese traditional philosophy are embedded in the life experiences of the respondents. Considering the dynamics of corporate leadership practices and the demands of the ever-changing macro, meso and micro environments, situational context as well as the followership, it is important to acknowledge that wisdom or wisdom to act, rather than mere leadership behaviour that would ensure generation of leadership dynamism. Such an acknowledgement could further drive and reinforce and offer a richer view to sustain the wisdom to act derived from Oriental values and philosophy that influence corporate leadership practices for organizational success and performance.Â

Theory development in leadership has been researched in different ways, depending on the researcher's methodological choices and understanding of leadership. Using an inductive analysis based on this study, the influences of Chinese traditional philosophy on leadership have emerged. Specifically, the themes of the influences are pointed to the following Chinese traditional philosophies: (1) Spiritual-Buddhism; (2) Humanity-Confucianism; (3) Naturalistic-Taoist philosophy; and (4) Strategic-Sun Zi Art of War. The knowledge and evaluated understanding of the Chinese traditional philosophy are embedded in the life experiences of the respondents. Considering the dynamics of corporate leadership practices and the demands of the ever-changing macro, meso and micro environments, situational context as well as the followership, it is important to acknowledge that wisdom or wisdom to act, rather than mere leadership behaviour that would ensure generation of leadership dynamism. Such an acknowledgement could further drive and reinforce and offer a richer view to sustain the wisdom to act derived from Oriental values and philosophy that influence corporate leadership practices for organizational success and performance.