Measuring intercultural effectiveness: An integrative approach

Abstract

The present study examined the concept of intercultural effectiveness, which integrates five dimensions: language and interpersonal skills, social interaction, cultural empathy, personality traits, and managerial ability. The factorial structures of intercultural effectiveness were examined in reference to cross-cultural adjustment and job performance. The impact of background and situational variables on adjustment and job performance was also assessed. Seventy-four American business people in a foreign country (China) responded to the survey. The results show that effective cross-cultural adjustment and job performance are moderately correlated. The factorial structures of intercultural effectiveness differ in reference to cross-cultural adjustment and job performance. Cross-cultural adjustment emphasizes personality traits, whereas overseas job performance requires interpersonal skills. Marital status, presence of sojourners' family, and occupation of sojourners were found to influence adjustment and job performance.