Intercultural communication effectiveness, cultural intelligence and knowledge sharing: Extending anxiety-uncertainty management theory

Abstract

We extend the conceptualization of Anxiety–Uncertainty Management theory to include an intercultural capability in the form of cultural intelligence (CQ) and by linking intercultural communication effectiveness to knowledge sharing. Specifically, we formulate a moderated- mediation model and test the model using survey data collected from employees working in intercultural contexts in Australia (n = 285). Results show that anxiety is significantly and negatively related to knowledge sharing. Similarly, results demonstrate that uncertainty is significantly and negatively related to knowledge sharing. Results of the moderated-mediation analysis using the PROCESS approach show that intercultural communication effectiveness mediates the abovementioned relationships and that the first stages of mediation (i.e., anxiety-intercultural communication effectiveness and uncertainty–intercultural communication effectiveness relationships) are moderated by CQ. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.