SIEs’ interaction and adaptation to their task performance

Yi Zhang, Zayed University
Taiba Hussain, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Business Research

Publication Date

5-1-2021

Abstract

© 2021 Elsevier Inc. Focusing on self-initiated expatriates (SIEs), this study examined confidence in a second language and motivational cultural intelligence or quotient (motivational CQ), to assess their effects on workplace interactions and cultural adaptation. It extended the theory of self-efficacy to cross-cultural settings in which SIEs achieve high levels of performance. The study was conducted with two groups of SIEs based in the United Arab Emirates, whose multicultural workforce often uses English as their workplace language. One group consisted of Chinese SIEs who used English in the workplace. As this was not their first language, their confidence in their English language skills was potentially an issue. The other group consisted of SIEs whose first language was English, and who were therefore using their native language at work. The findings suggest that the language confidence and motivational CQ of SIEs serve as inner drivers and mediators of the relationship between self-efficacy and task performance.

ISSN

0148-2963

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

128

First Page

370

Last Page

380

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Adaptation, Language confidence, Motivational CQ, Self-efficacy, Task performance

Scopus ID

85101530951

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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