Title: Multicultural competence: an empirical comparison of intercultural sensitivity and cultural intelligence

Authors: Otmar E. Varela

Addresses: Department of Management, University of Arkansas - Little Rock, 2801 S University Av. Little Rock, AR, 72204, USA

Abstract: Numerous frameworks have been proposed for describing the set of capabilities associated with multicultural competence. Although overlaps between some frameworks have been discussed, a theory that reconciles conflicting views is still missing. A fundamental reason for the absence of such theory is the scarcity of efforts devoted to contrasting frameworks and identifying generalisable features. This study compares two leading frameworks in the literature, Intercultural Sensitivity (IS) and Cultural Intelligence (CQ). Relying on a sample of undergraduate students (N = 98) who participated in a study-abroad program in Mexico, the study compares IS and CQ's nomological networks. Results indicate overlaps between the cognitive components of CQ and IS. Findings also show that personality traits work as antecedents for both frameworks. Finally, results suggest that, when predicting behavioural adaptation, the variance of fine-grained competencies outperforms broad operationalisations of the general competence. The discussion section addresses the theoretical implications of results for future conceptualisations of intercultural competence and lists practical implications of findings.

Keywords: multicultural competence; intercultural sensitivity; cultural intelligence; multicultural adaptation; regression analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2019.098146

European Journal of International Management, 2019 Vol.13 No.2, pp.177 - 197

Received: 09 Jul 2016
Accepted: 25 May 2017
Published online: 05 Mar 2019 *

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