How cultural intelligence affects expatriate effectiveness in international construction projects

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence mechanism of expatriates' cultural intelligence (CQ) on expatriate effectiveness (task performance and premature return intention), identifying work engagement as a mediator and cultural distance as a boundary condition.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the conservation of resource theory and the person–environment fit (P–E fit) theory, a moderated mediation model is built. Working with a sample of 303 international construction expatriates collected by snowball sampling, the hypotheses are tested by using the structural equation model analysis.FindingsWork engagement partially mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and task performance, as well as fully mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and premature return intention. Cultural distance moderates the positive relationship between CQ and work engagement, as well as moderates the mediating effects of work engagement.Research limitations/implicationsThe impacts of potential moderators (e.g. work–family conflict and organizational culture) on the relationship between CQ and expatriate effectiveness have not been considered in this study.Practical implicationsThis study is useful for international construction firms to optimize the allocation of human resources.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the expatriate literature by adding empirical evidence to explain the influence mechanism of expatriates' CQ on expatriate effectiveness.

Conceptual Framework of the Evolution of Self-Initiative Expatriates in a Global Landscape

“…Career Progression and Contributions: It is imperative to undertake an analysis of the effects of self-initiative expatriation on career advancement, development of skills, and prospects for future possibilities. Furthermore, the examination of the impacts made by these individuals on other entities such as companies, societies, and worldwide networks constitutes a substantial aspect (Chen et al, 2023). The assessment of organizational perceptions and support for self-initiative expatriates, as well as the examination of the wider societal ramifications of this phenomenon, represents a significant aspect of research (Singh et al, 2022).…”

“…Similarly, the theory of cultural intelligence places significant emphasis on the capacity to effectively navigate and operate within environments characterized by cultural diversity. According to Chen et al (2023), expatriates who demonstrate self-initiative frequently demonstrate elevated levels of cultural intelligence, enabling them to effectively navigate and prosper in many cultural environments.…”

Training of Political Skills as Moderator between Cultural Intelligence and Expatriate Adjustment: A Social Learning Theory Perspective

“…Likewise, some personal factors, i.e., career commitment, life satisfaction, and adaptation, also play a vital role in facilitating expatriate adjustment with cultural intelligence (Morin & Talbot, 2023). Moreover, this study uses a single moderator; it is suggested that future researchers test other moderating variables between the relationship of CQ and EA, i.e., leadership style, psychological contract, work-family satisfaction, knowledge sharing, and cross-culture adaptation (Chen et al, 2023;Morin & Talbot, 2023). Moreover, it would be interesting if future researchers find out the antecedents of CQ, i.e., personality traits and emotional stability (Morin & Talbot, 2023), or use CQ as a mediator or moderator, as research is scarce on CQ with these positions (Morin & Talbot, 2023).…”

Investigating the Effect of Cultural Intelligence and Emotional labor on Job Satisfaction (Case of Study: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences)

“…In fact, cultural intelligence entails the ability to cooperatively use a set of skills to show certain qualities such as ambiguity tolerance and flexibility, which are appropriately based on values and attitudes. People's cultural values interact with others' 11 . Cultural intelligence enables individuals to act effectively in situations distinguished by cultural differences.…”