Cross-Cultural Adjustment of International Students: Examining the Influence of Institutional Distance, Personality, and Cultural Intelligence.

Abstract

Rapid globalization, technological advancement, and increased market competitiveness have driven changes in the nature of employment, organizations and employment communications. Under such circumstances, people have been moving to other countries for work, school, pleasure etc., forming an internationally integrated society, seeking opportunities in the global market. This study examines the relationship between Institutional distance, personality, cultural intelligence and adjustment. Hierarchical regression analysis conducted on data from 401 college level international students- after controlling for age and gender show significant links between (a) cultural intelligence and adjustment; (b) institutional distance and personality; and (c) personality and adjustment. The important finding in this study is the complete moderation of the personality type (openness to experience) on the relationship between institutional distance and cross-cultural adjustment. This study contributes to the literature on adjustment of internationals, within the Taiwan context, to help facilitate better working arrangement between host nationals and international students.

Rapid globalization, technological advancement, and increased market competitiveness have driven changes in the nature of employment, organizations and employment communications. Under such circumstances, people have been moving to other countries for work, school, pleasure etc., forming an internationally integrated society, seeking opportunities in the global market. This study examines the relationship between Institutional distance, personality, cultural intelligence and adjustment. Hierarchical regression analysis conducted on data from 401 college level international students- after controlling for age and gender show significant links between (a) cultural intelligence and adjustment; (b) institutional distance and personality; and (c) personality and adjustment. The important finding in this study is the complete moderation of the personality type (openness to experience) on the relationship between institutional distance and cross-cultural adjustment. This study contributes to the literature on adjustment of internationals, within the Taiwan context, to help facilitate better working arrangement between host nationals and international students.