The relative importance of antecedents to cross-cultural adjustment: implications for managing a global workforce

Abstract

This study extends previous research on cross-cultural adjustment through a field study of 196 American business executives on assignment in Japan, Netherlands, and South Korea. The results demonstrate the relative importance of learning orientation, self-efficacy, parent and host company socialization, work, and non-work variables, on three facets of cross-cultural adjustment (work, interaction, and general). While past research has consistently shown that family adjustment is by far the strongest predictor of cross-cultural adjustment, this study reveals that socialization at the host company, previously proposed yet unmeasured, may be as strong as a predictor. Implications for practice and directions for future research are offered.