Title: Importance of international skills for international business

Authors: Ben L. Kedia, Liliana Perez-Nordtvedt, Jiun-Shiu Chen

Addresses: The University of Memphis, 330 Innovation Drive, Suite 220, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. ' Department of Management, The University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19467, 701 S. West Street, Suite 215, Arlington, TX 76019, USA. ' Department of Management, Marketing and Genreral Business, McNeese State University, Burton Business Center 227, Box 92135, Lake Charles, LA 70609-2315, USA

Abstract: This study examines the antecedents of the perceived importance of international business skills of employees hired for international business positions in US companies. Results show that international business skills are perceived as more important by US managers who: manage companies that employ more foreign nationals than US nationals in their foreign offices; manage companies that see a greater importance in the rest of the world in their future operations; have greater international responsibilities; have a greater international background. Through a post hoc analysis, we also find that the antecedents to the perceived importance of international skills vary depending on the international skill/knowledge that is being taken into consideration. Conclusions and implications of the study are also presented.

Keywords: international business skills; managerial perceptions.

DOI: 10.1504/JGBA.2008.018379

Journal for Global Business Advancement, 2008 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.153 - 177

Published online: 19 May 2008 *

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