Dynamic cross-cultural competencies and global leadership effectiveness

• Published in: Journal of world business : JWB Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 612 - 622
• Main Authors: Caligiuri, Paula, Tarique, Ibraiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greenwich Elsevier Inc 01.10.2012; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Ambiguity; Cross cultural studies; Cross-cultural analysis; Cross-cultural competencies; Cultural differences; Development economics; Developmental experiences; Ethnocentrism; Global leadership; International effectiveness; Leadership; Organizational behaviour; Personality characteristics; Personality traits; Supervisors; International effectiveness; Cross-cultural competencies; Global leadership; Developmental experiences; Personality characteristics
• ISSN: 1090-9516; 1878-5573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2012.01.014

Analyzing data from a sample of 420 global leaders (matched with 221 supervisors), we found a combined effect of personality characteristics (extraversion, openness to experience, and lower neuroticism) and cross-cultural experiences (organization-initiated cross-cultural work experiences and non-work cross-cultural experiences) as predictors of dynamic cross-cultural competencies (tolerance of ambiguity, cultural flexibility, and reduced ethnocentrism). These competencies, in turn, are predictors of supervisors’ ratings of global leadership effectiveness. Our study suggests that developmental cross-cultural experiences occur through both work-related and non-work activities. The results suggest that both selection and development are critical for building a pipeline of effective global leaders.