Multiple intelligence and expatriate effectiveness: the mediating roles of cross-cultural adjustment

Abstract

Drawing on the theory of multiple intelligences, the theory of work adjustment and the framework of international adjustment, we examined the mediating effects of three cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) dimensions (general, interaction and work adjustment) on the relationships between three intelligences (cultural, emotional and political) and three expatriate outcomes (task performance, premature return intention and psychological well-being). A total of 237 expatriates were assessed. In our nine-factor model, we found that work adjustment had the most mediating effects on the relationships between the three intelligences and expatriate outcomes, while interaction adjustment had no mediating effect. General adjustment mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence (EQ) and premature return, and between EQ and work adjustment. Of the three intelligences, EQ had indirect effects on all three expatriate outcomes, while cultural and political intelligences each had indirect effects on task performance and psychological well-being. Our study is one of the first to examine the impact of three interpersonal, malleable intelligences and the separate mediating effects of CCA dimensions on multiple expatriate outcomes using a single model. Both theoretical and practical implications of multiple intelligences and CCA are discussed.

Keywords:

• Expatriate
• cross-cultural adjustment
• political skills
• psychological well-being
• cultural intelligence
• emotional intelligence

Acknowledgements

The team would like to express their sincere appreciation to Mr. Andy Davison, the CEO and founder of TEG Media (The Expat Group) for its generous support to this study. The team would also like to thank the three reviewers for their constructive feedback that has helped the team to improve the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.