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Cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates: The role of emotional intelligence and gender

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  • Koveshnikov, Alexei
  • Wechtler, Heidi
  • Dejoux, Cecile

Abstract

The study examines the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) of expatriates on international assignments. Based on a sample of 269 French expatriates operating in 133 countries, our analysis finds a significant and positive relationship between EI and expatriates’ general living, interactional and work-related CCA. Additionally, it shows that cultural similarity only facilitates general living adjustment and not interactional or work adjustments. Finally, our analysis reveals an interesting interaction effect between gender and the ability to appraise and express emotions: the influence of the latter on all three dimensions of CCA tends to be slightly stronger for male than female expatriates. The study offers important practical implications for organizations concerning the identification and development of successful expatriates.

Suggested Citation

  • Koveshnikov, Alexei & Wechtler, Heidi & Dejoux, Cecile, 2014. "Cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates: The role of emotional intelligence and gender," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 362-371.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:49:y:2014:i:3:p:362-371
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2013.07.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Guttormsen, David S.A., 2018. "Does the ‘non-traditional expatriate’ exist? A critical exploration of new expatriation categories," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 233-244.
    2. Catalin Popa & Imre Reczey & David Quansah & Filip Nistor, 2016. "The Contemporary Adaptive Model for the Expatriates’ Profile," International Journal of Management, Knowledge and Learning, International School for Social and Business Studies, Celje, Slovenia, vol. 5(2), pages 201-222.
    3. María Bastida & Belén Bande Vilela & Luisa H. Pinto & Sandra Castro-Gonzalez, 2023. "“Be Happy†While You Can: How Expatriates’ Accomplishments Affect Their Subjective Well-Being and Job Satisfaction," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, July.
    4. Pintar Rok & Bernik Mojca & Martins Jorge Tiago, 2017. "Analysis of Expatriation Process in a Slovenian Company," Organizacija, Sciendo, vol. 50(1), pages 63-79, February.
    5. Mukhtar, Arshia & Zhu, Ying & Lee, You-il & Bambacas, Mary & Cavusgil, S. Tamer, 2022. "Challenges confronting the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative: Social networks and cross-cultural adjustment in CPEC projects," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1).
    6. Koveshnikov, Alexei & Tienari, Janne & Piekkari, Rebecca, 2019. "Gender in international business journals: A review and conceptualization of MNCs as gendered social spaces," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 37-53.
    7. Nicholas J. Beutell & Marianne M. O’Hare & Joy A. Schneer & Jeffrey W. Alstete, 2017. "Coping with Fear of and Exposure to Terrorism among Expatriates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, July.
    8. Koveshnikov, Alexei & Lehtonen, Miikka J. & Wechtler, Heidi, 2022. "Expatriates on the run: The psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on expatriates’ host country withdrawal intentions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6).
    9. Heidi Wechtler & Alexei Koveshnikov & Cécile Dejoux, 2017. "Career Anchors and Cross-Cultural Adjustment Among Expatriates in a Non-Profit Organization," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 277-305, April.
    10. Miao, Chao & Humphrey, Ronald H. & Qian, Shanshan, 2018. "A cross-cultural meta-analysis of how leader emotional intelligence influences subordinate task performance and organizational citizenship behavior," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 463-474.
    11. Wechtler, Heidi & Koveshnikov, Alexei & Dejoux, Cecile, 2015. "Just like a fine wine? Age, emotional intelligence, and cross-cultural adjustment," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 409-418.
    12. Md.Sayed Uddin & Adam Andani Mohammed, 2021. "Adjustment Factors on the Work Performance of Bangladeshi Temporary Contract Workers in Malaysia," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 64(2), pages 333-349, June.
    13. Lazarova, Mila & Dimitrova, Mihaela & Dickmann, Michael & Brewster, Chris & Cerdin, Jean-Luc, 2021. "Career satisfaction of expatriates in humanitarian inter-governmental organizations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(4).
    14. Leonidas C. Leonidou & Bilge Aykol & Jorma Larimo & Lida Kyrgidou & Paul Christodoulides, 2021. "Enhancing International Buyer-Seller Relationship Quality and Long-Term Orientation Using Emotional Intelligence: The Moderating Role of Foreign Culture," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 365-402, June.

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