Expatriates and non-expatriates: Effects of cultural intelligence and multicultural personality on passion for work and satisfaction with life

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare the levels of cultural intelligence (CQ) and multicultural personality (MP) of expatriates and non-expatriates, according to the degree of intercultural contact, and to observe the predictive effect of CQ and MP in passion for work and satisfaction with life. Through a sample of 97 participants, a study with one-factor design 3 (intercultural contact degree: expatriates, non-expatriates with maximum intercultural contact and non-expatriates with minimum intercultural contact) was conducted. CQ and MP levels were compared, according to the degree of intercultural contact resorting to ANOVA one-way. The predictive effect of CQ and MP in passion for work and satisfaction with life was also evaluated by means of regression analysis. Expatriates, compared to the non-expatriates had higher levels of CQ, MP, passion for work and satisfaction with life. Multicultural skills such as CQ and MP were predictors of passion for work and satisfaction with life. As limitations, we can point out the small size of the samples and the fact that there is no control of individual variables. Passion for work and satisfaction with life are essential to promote individuals’ positive functioning, so the identification of their predictors is of utmost importance, both at individual and organizational levels. Understanding the impact of intercultural contact, CQ and MP on the performance of individuals, teams and organizations in multicultural contexts is an asset to global organizations and societies.