IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v177y2024ics0148296324001498.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A paradox theory lens for developing cross-cultural competence: Mindset, behavior, and work design

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Dan
  • Donohue, Ross
  • Guo, Feng
  • Yang, Mingjun
  • Luu, Tuan

Abstract

Cross-cultural competence (CCC) is one of the most effective means for expatriates to overcome cultural tensions and liabilities of foreignness on international assignments. Drawing upon a paradox theory lens, this study delineates a moderated mediation model that unpacks the mindset, behavior, and work design features which empower the development of CCC in the context of expatriate assignment. To test this model, we obtained survey data from 244 expatriate managers, matched with survey responses from 244 local colleagues, nominated by each expatriate. Structural equation modelling revealed that both holistic thinking and attributional complexity predict CCC via paradoxical behavior. In addition, opportunity-enhancing work design positively moderated the indirect relationship between attributional complexity and CCC. Such findings highlight the importance of embracing a paradox mindset and paradoxical behaviors for competency building on international tasks. The practical implications for expatriate selection, training, and continuous development are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Dan & Donohue, Ross & Guo, Feng & Yang, Mingjun & Luu, Tuan, 2024. "A paradox theory lens for developing cross-cultural competence: Mindset, behavior, and work design," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:177:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324001498
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114645
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296324001498
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114645?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:177:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324001498. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.