Chen, Y; Yang, Z; Liu, B; Wang, D; Xiao, Y and Wang, A (2024) How cultural intelligence affects expatriate effectiveness in international construction projects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(4), pp. 1696-1714. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the influence mechanism of expatriates' cultural intelligence (CQ) on expatriate effectiveness (task performance and premature return intention), identifying work engagement as a mediator and cultural distance as a boundary condition. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on the conservation of resource theory and the person–environment fit (P–E fit) theory, a moderated mediation model is built. Working with a sample of 303 international construction expatriates collected by snowball sampling, the hypotheses are tested by using the structural equation model analysis. Findings: Work engagement partially mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and task performance, as well as fully mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and premature return intention. Cultural distance moderates the positive relationship between CQ and work engagement, as well as moderates the mediating effects of work engagement. Research limitations/implications: The impacts of potential moderators (e.g. work–family conflict and organizational culture) on the relationship between CQ and expatriate effectiveness have not been considered in this study. Practical implications: This study is useful for international construction firms to optimize the allocation of human resources. Originality/value: This study contributes to the expatriate literature by adding empirical evidence to explain the influence mechanism of expatriates' CQ on expatriate effectiveness.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | conservation of resource theory; cultural distance; cultural intelligence; expatriate effectiveness; work engagement |
| Index terms: | boundary condition, mediator, conservation, structural equation model, effectiveness, sampling, international construction, drawing, mediation, international construction project, organizational culture, methodology, human resource, evidence |
| Subjects: | dispute resolution, strategic management, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, environmental policy, technical documentation, structural engineering, management, performance management, research methods, statistical analysis, sociology |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, International Construction, Human Resources, Quality Management, Design Practice, Legal Issues, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here