This study empirically examines individual and organizational factors that influence expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment and job performance. The study was a quantitative research from 117 Thai expatriates who work in Thai multinational companies (MNC) located in Indonesia. The results of the study indicated that financial perceived organizational support influence positively towards Thai expatriates’ overall cross-cultural adjustment in Indonesia. This study found that cross-cultural training influenced positively towards Thai expatriates’ adjustment. A causal relationship between the predicting variables of crosscultural adjustment and Thai expatriates’ job performance was not found. Results suggest important consequences for management strategies providing support to Thai expatriate employees increasing their adjustment in Indonesia. Keywords: Cross-Cultural Adjustment; Job
In cross-cultural communication and adjunct disciplines such as cross-cultural management and international business, there is a negativity bias of seeing cultural differences as a source of potential issues. The emergence of Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) questions this problem-focused approach. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion from neuroscience’s perspectives in several ways. Firstly, it provides a neurological look at this bias. Secondly, it proposes that the problem-focused approach may (1) give us a biased outlook of cross-cultural encounters rather than a reality, (2) hinder creativity, (3) lead to the rebound effect, and (4) turn belief into reality. Finally, based on insight from neuroscience and adopting the POS lens with the connection between POS and creativity, it’s recommended that future research takes three directions: (1) Using similarity as the starting point; (2) strategize body language, context and theories; and (3) develop a multicultural mind. In essence, the paper contributes to existing knowledge of the field by employing an interdisciplinary approach, aiming to gain a more holistic view, provoke thoughts, and trigger future empirical studies.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the role of motivational cultural intelligence and its related strategies in the experiential learning and cross-cultural adjustment of self-initiated expatriate (SIE) women. Design/methodology/approach – Interactive qualitative analysis (IQA) was the design and process used for this research. Two IQA focus groups were conducted with a non-probability purposive sample of 21 SIE women, aged between 26 and 53 who were living and working in the Netherlands at the time of the research. Participants were invited to brainstorm about their adjustment experience and actively construct a framework of their adjustment experiences. Findings – Evidence is provided for the role of motivational CQ, with specific reference to reinvention, self-efficacy and goal-setting as motivational strategies, in the successful adjustment of SIE women. Conceptual frameworks of the cyclical learning process and motivational strategies with choice as a moderator in the process, have been developed. Three propositions for future research are also presented. Originality/value – This study represents an under-researched group and proposes conceptual frameworks for understanding the complex, multidimensional process of SIE women adjustment and the role of motivation, from a participant perspective.
