Title: Micro-foundations of global innovative performance in Latin America: exploring the role of cultural intelligence and country of origin

Authors: Jase Ramsey; Melanie P. Lorenz; Jack Clampit; Daniel Rottig

Addresses: Department of Management, Lutgert College of Business, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA ' Marketing Department, College of Business, Florida Atlantic University (USA), Boca Raton, Florida, USA ' Texas A&M University (Corpus Christi), Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ' Department of Management, Lutgert College of Business, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the micro-foundations and emergence of firm-level Cultural Intelligence (CQ). Using dynamic capabilities theory, we conceptually develop a framework that proposes a positive relationship between firm-level CQ and innovative performance, moderated by a firm's country of origin. We further conduct an exploratory empirical analysis based on a lagged, cross-sectional design using multisource data, including primary survey data from 353 global managers from large Brazilian and foreign developed market MNEs operating in Brazil representing a variety of industries as well as archival data on innovative performance to include objective firm performance data. The results generally support our hypotheses. Specifically, the impact of firm-level CQ on innovative performance was supported for both the innovation input and the downstream innovation outcome of sales growth. The moderating effect of country of origin on innovation performance was partially supported.

Keywords: innovative performance; firm-level cultural intelligence; multinational enterprises; micro-foundations; country of origin.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2026.152251

European Journal of International Management, 2026 Vol.28 No.4, pp.582 - 617

Received: 23 Nov 2020
Accepted: 24 Mar 2021
Published online: 13 Mar 2026 *

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