Abstract
Orientation: Cultural intelligence is an essential social competence for effective individual interaction in a cross-cultural context. The cultural intelligence scale (CQS) is used extensively for assessing cultural intelligence; nevertheless, its reliability and validity on a South African sample are yet to be ascertained.Research purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess the construct validity of the CQS on a South African sample. The results of the psychometric assessment offer some important insights into the factor structure of the cultural intelligence construct.Motivation for the study: The current study sought to provide some practical validity confirmation of the CQS for the effective management of cultural diversity in the South African context.Research approach, design and method: The CQS was administered on a non-probability sample of 229 young adults in South Africa. Item analysis was performed to ascertain reliability. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the unidimensionality of CQS subscales. The first-order and second-order factor structures underlying contemporary models of cultural intelligence were tested using confirmatory factor analysis.Main findings: Results indicated that the CQS is a reliable and valid measure of cultural intelligence as evidenced by the high internal consistency coefficients in all the subscales. Good construct validity for both the first-order and second-order models was obtained via confirmatory factor analysis.Practical/managerial implications: The study finds good measurement properties of the CQS in a South African context. The CQS can be confidently used for applications such as selecting, training and developing a more culturally competent workforce.Contribution: The study extends the body of knowledge on the reliability and construct validity of the CQS in the South African milieu. It further indicates that cultural intelligence can be represented by a general cultural intelligence factor that drives more specific dimensions of cultural intelligence.
Highlights
Key focus of the studyCultural intelligence is a specific form of intelligence that emphasises an individual’s capability to grasp, reason and behave effectively in situations characterised by cultural diversity (Ang et al, 2007; Schmidt & Hunter, 2000)
A quantitative survey design was required in order to conduct confirmatory factor analysis via structural equation modelling
The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the cultural intelligence scale (Ang et al, 2007) by testing the reliability and construct validity of the CQS on a South African sample
Summary
Cultural intelligence is a specific form of intelligence that emphasises an individual’s capability to grasp, reason and behave effectively in situations characterised by cultural diversity (Ang et al, 2007; Schmidt & Hunter, 2000) It is mostly concerned with ways of enhancing effective social interactions amongst individuals from different cultures and backgrounds to avoid potential conflict that can impact on organisational performance. Cultural intelligence has been linked to positive outcomes such as better adjustment in diverse cultural situations which, in turn, increase the individual’s effectiveness at the workplace (Van Dyne & Ang, 2005) It fosters effective communication within the work environment, inspires good cultural judgement, cultural adaptation, the enactment of sound decision-making and task performance (Ang et al, 2007).
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