Paing, K K; Dodanwala, T C and Santoso, D S (2025) Cultural intelligence and cooperation in the construction industry: The mediating role of trust. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(6), pp. 1940-1957. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to investigate the mediating role of trust in the relationship between cultural intelligence (CQ) and cooperation among construction professionals. Furthermore, this study assesses perceived differences in CQ, trust and cooperation between individuals with and without experience working with foreigners in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from a cross-sectional survey of 408 engineers in Myanmar's construction industry. A confirmatory factor analysis validated structural equation modeling approach was used to address research hypotheses, and an independent samples t-test was performed to identify the perceived differences between two categories of respondents. Findings – The structural equation modeling results identified CQ as a positive direct predictor of cooperation, affect-based trust and cognition-based trust. Both affect-based trust and cognition-based trust directly and positively influenced cooperation. The relationship between CQ and cooperation was partially mediated by affect-based trust and cognition-based trust. The findings of the independent samples t-test revealed that construction employees with prior experience working with foreigners tend to exhibit a higher level of CQ, trust and cooperation than their counterparts. Originality/value – The present study added the mediating role of trust in CQ and cooperation linkage, an area that has received limited attention in the literature.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; cooperation; CQ; cultural intelligence; trust |
| Index terms: | construction professional, construction industry, engineer, construction employee, linkage, methodology, cognition, cooperation, Myanmar, survey, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, statistical analysis, professional development, data collection methods, profession, business, cognitive psychology, Geography, research methods, psychology, practitioner |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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