Personality differences in managers who have, and have not, worked abroad

Abstract

The present, exploratory study examined bright-side personality trait (NEO-PI-R and MBTI) and dark-side trait (HDS) differences between middle to senior managers who had, and had not, worked abroad. It also examined the relation of personality trait variables to the duration of time spent abroad. In all 3165 females and 10,068 males aged between 23 and 65 years went to work-related assessment centre. Results for a Domain and Facet analysis of the Big Five, as well as from the Dark-Side traits revealed numerous differences. Those who had worked abroad tended to be more Open and Conscientious, and less Neurotic. There were fewer differences on measures of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and dark-side HDS among those with experience loving abroad. They tended to be more Thinking than Feeling Types, Colourful/Histrionic and less Dependent. Regression showed those with work experience abroad tended to be older, Extraverted, Open, Conscientious males with a tendency to move towards as opposed to away from people. Those who had spent longer times abroad tended to be more Open and Diligent and less Agreeable. Limitations of this cross-sectional study are discussed.