SIEs motivational CQ on job satisfaction: A two-study examination of power distance and role clarity

Yi Zhang
Feng Wei
Ian Grey

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Abstract

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Choosing to work abroad without the sponsorship of an organisation is becoming increasingly commonplace, and this is a defining characteristic of self-initiated expatriates (SIE). Previous research suggests that SIEs’ willingness to interact and adapt to new cultural occupational settings, and their motivational cultural intelligence or cultural quotient (motivational CQ), are particularly important qualities, and that these qualities are related to their levels of job satisfaction. However, it remains unclear how motivational CQ interacts with specific situational aspects of the workplace, such as role clarity and power distance. This study examines the contributions made by motivational CQ and its interaction with power distance in relation to role clarity to determining subsequent job satisfaction. The results indicate that motivational CQ is positively related to role clarity, which helps to improve job satisfaction, and that this indirect effect is moderated by power distance. Furthermore, this pattern of effects is more apparent for Chinese SIEs than for British SIEs. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings, as well as the limitations of the study.

ISSN

0147-1767

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

80

First Page

158

Last Page

169

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Job satisfaction, Motivational CQ, Power distance, Self-initiated expatriate (SIE)

Scopus ID

85097149434

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license

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