The Influence of Expatriate Personality in Cross-Cultural Environments
Author
Alberg, Mikkel Zedlitz
Term
4. term
Publication year
2019
Submitted on
2019-09-15
Pages
66
Abstract
Globaliseringen har fået virksomheder til at rekruttere medarbejdere fra hele verden, hvilket bringer forskellige kulturelle antagelser og værdier ind på arbejdspladsen. Denne mangfoldighed kan fremme kreativitet, innovation og lokal markedsindsigt og dermed øge konkurrenceevnen. Hvis udstationerede—medarbejdere, der arbejder uden for deres hjemland—derimod har svært ved at integrere sig, kan det blive dyrt. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan udstationeredes personlighed hænger sammen med deres præstation i ukendte kulturelle miljøer. Fem udstationerede blev vurderet kvalitativt via spørgeskemaer og interviews. Studiet bygger på to rammer: Big Five‑personlighedsmodellen (fem brede træk, der ofte bruges i psykologi) og kulturel intelligens (CQ), et mål med fire facetter for evnen til at forstå og tilpasse sig forskellige kulturer. Resultaterne indikerer, at visse personlighedsdimensioner har en positiv sammenhæng med alle fire CQ‑facetter. Derudover har nogle personlighedsdimensioner en positiv sammenhæng med håndteringen af centrale kulturelle udfordringer, herunder andetsprogskompetence, stresshåndtering og tilpasning til ukendte kulturelle normer.
Globalization has led companies to recruit employees from around the world, bringing diverse cultural assumptions and values into the workplace. This diversity can fuel creativity, innovation, and local market insight, making global businesses more competitive. However, when expatriates—employees working outside their home country—struggle to integrate, the costs can be high. This thesis examines how expatriates’ personality relates to their performance in unfamiliar cultural environments. Five expatriates were assessed qualitatively using surveys and interviews. The study draws on two frameworks: the Big Five personality model (five broad traits commonly used in psychology) and Cultural Intelligence (CQ), a four-facet measure of the ability to understand and adapt to different cultures. Findings indicate that certain personality dimensions are positively associated with all four CQ facets. In addition, some personality dimensions are positively associated with managing key cultural challenges, including second-language proficiency, stress management, and adapting to unfamiliar cultural norms.
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