The Effect of Emotional Intelligence as a Moderator on the Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Cross-Cultural Adjustment

Abstract

This research intended to empirically test whether emotional intelligence has a moderating effect on the relationship between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment. In addition, this study examined whether cultural intelligence predicts cross-cultural adjustment. The sample in this study is Thai worker categorized into the level of blue collar workers in Taiwan. The participants were conveniently selected. They have been working more than three months for the manufactory industry in Central Taiwan. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed, and a total of 323 (64.6%) of them responded. The questionnaire contained demographic information and three variables measuring emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test two hypotheses of this research. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Cultural intelligence had a positive relationship with cross-cultural adjustment. 2. Emotional intelligence significantly and negatively moderated the relationship between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment.