ABSTRACT
Despite the importance of cross-cultural competency in the hospitality and tourism industry, minimal information is available regarding its antecedents and consequences. Accordingly, by uniquely adopting and integrating experiential learning theory and a cultural competency model, the present study explored the mechanisms that underlie cross-cultural competency, international experiences, and self-efficacy. The hypothesized relationships were tested via partial least squares–structural equation modeling using survey data from hotel employees. Results showed that the international experiences of employees positively predicted their cross-cultural competencies (i.e., metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral dimensions). Moreover, motivational and behavioral competencies fully mediated the relationship between international experiences and self-efficacy.