The influence of political skill on the acceptance of foreign nationals at the home country organization: an examination of cultural stigmatization

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of the four dimensions of political skill (i.e. social astuteness, interpersonal influence, networking ability and apparent sincerity) on the relationship between the cultural stigmatization of a foreign national and their level of acceptance by headquarter personnel as measured by the frequency of interaction. Grounded in self-congruity theory, we examine the dynamics involved in overcoming various stigmatizing marks of foreign nationals as they interact in a home country organization environment. Implications for practitioners are consequently discussed.

Keywords:

• inpatriate managers
• political skill
• self-congruity theory
• stigmatization