Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and Cultural Exposure Through Mobility Programs

Abstract

As a result of globalisation, a significant proportion of companies operate across borders and in many cases, work communities are also organised from workers with diverse cultural backgrounds. Due to the intensive flow of services, goods and labour, and cultural differences, conflicts can arise, and these tensions can negatively affect people and organisations' well-being and performance. Nowadays, cultural knowledge and intercultural competencies are more appreciated and highly requested by most employers.The younger generations (Generation Z and Millennials) were born into cultural diversity and have broad mobility possibilities to deepen their intercultural competencies, but the older generations in Hungary had more limited mobility opportunities. Cultural intelligence (CQ), which is the ability to adapt to different intercultural interactions effectively, can be developed effortlessly by spending extended periods abroad. High CQ results in better interpersonal relationships and work performance in culturally diverse environments. Cultural intelligence is a widely researched field within the managerial studies, but most studies focus on international students, young business students and sojourners. Thus, our primary goal was to explore not just the adolescents and young professionals, but the middle-aged and seniors as well.This quantitative study aimed to explore Hungarian generations' cultural intelligence and find possible connections between cultural intelligence and overseas exposure/mobility program participation. To answer our research questions, we analysed the total and dimensional CQ scores of 329 Hungarian respondents and compared the results based on participation in different mobility programs, length and frequency of cultural exposure.

The role of openness and cultural intelligence in students' intention to study abroad

“…CI has been examined as both an antecedent and consequent of studying abroad, and in this study, we examined it as an antecedent of the intention to study abroad. In line with previous studies, we found CI to be associated with openness facets (Ang et al, 2006;Depaula et al, 2016;G€ okten and Emil, 2019;Li et al, 2016;Shu et al, 2017) and with studying abroad (Anh et al, 2021;Luchkiw, 2013;Pasztor, 2021). Students who score higher on CI are more open to experience and more likely to study abroad.…”

“…, 2017) and with studying abroad (Anh et al. , 2021; Luchkiw, 2013; Pasztor, 2021). Students who score higher on CI are more open to experience and more likely to study abroad.…”

“…Studies examining how studying abroad is associated with CI (Iskhakova et al, 2021;Nguyen et al, 2018;S ¸evik, 2020) have shown that, at least in some students, short-term studying abroad is associated with increases in CI. Studies examining how CI is associated with the decision to study abroad (Anh et al, 2021;Pasztor, 2021) have indicated that higher CI in students is associated with the intention to study abroad and participation in different mobility programs. Finally, there are studies that have examined the association between both personality and CI with studying abroad.…”

“…Studies examining how CI is associated with the decision to study abroad (Anh et al. , 2021; Pasztor, 2021) have indicated that higher CI in students is associated with the intention to study abroad and participation in different mobility programs. Finally, there are studies that have examined the association between both personality and CI with studying abroad.…”

Applicability of education 4.0 in higher education: Engineering students’ survey

“…The pandemic was also a warning signal to have students prepared with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and collaborative skills and educate them to remain interested in life-long learning (Hirschi, 2017). This technological-digital shift affects profoundly not only education but future employees and business structures as well: knowledge and talent replace raw materials and capital and become the most competitive assets (Bartram, 2005;Pásztor, 2021). Implementing strategic workforce planning and talent management can give each organization a more agile approach and a new dynamic for progress and development (de Lucas-Ancillo, del Val-Núñez & Gavrila, 2020).…”