Cultural Intelligence

Abstract

For individuals in management positions, globalization has reinforced contact with foreign cultures and provided opportunities to be assigned to projects abroad. Expatriates encounter additional challenges varying from differently-oriented work forces to building a new life in a foreign country. The organizations must ensure that employees are well selected, prepared, and supported throughout the expatriation process. An exploratory study of German project managers in Portugal is conducted to elaborate the importance of cultural intelligence in business. Current understandings of both national cultures and their potential conflict factors are portrayed and German expatriates questioned about their work environment and private adjustment to Portuguese culture. Performance-orientation and assertive culture on the managers' side and relationship-focus and high-context communication on the employees' side triggered difficulties with work tasks. Differences related to the cultural dimension collectivism versus individualism complicated the expatriates' adjustment to the local culture.