Knowledge acquisition of Chinese expatriates: managing Chinese MNEs in Kazakhstan

Abstract

This article advances understanding of the interplay between cultural intelligence of Chinese expatriates managing Chinese multinational enterprises in Kazakhstan and the level of knowledge acquisition from local employees. Drawing on rich quantitative data, and framed by Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory, Sternberg's Theory of Successful Intelligence and Bandura's Social Learning Theory, the article advances knowledge of the relationship between cultural intelligence, innovativeness and knowledge acquisition. The article also draws particular attention to the moderated mediation model of the research and contributes to the literature by enhancing our understanding of Chinese expatriates' knowledge acquisition from local employees by viewing interpersonal skills as a moderating factor. • Cultural Intelligence was positively associated with innovativeness which in turn influences knowledge acquisition. • Interpersonal skills moderates the link between Cultural Intelligence and innovativeness. • Innovativeness mediates the link between Cultural Intelligence and knowledge acquisition. • Chinese MNEs in Central Asia