Cultural Intelligence and International Leadership Potential: The Importance of Contact for Members of the Majority

• Published in: Applied psychology 2012-04, Vol.61 (2), p.272-294
• Main Authors: Kim, You Jin, Van Dyne, Linn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Business etiquette; Cultural differences; Distinctiveness; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Intelligence; Intercultural interaction; Leadership; Management theory; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority groups; Occupational psychology; Organization and management. Professional relation; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Selfreport; Studies
• ISSN: 0269-994X; 1464-0597
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-0597.2011.00468.x

Integrating distinctiveness theory and contact theory, we develop a conceptual model proposing that prior intercultural contact has mediated effects on international leadership potential via cultural intelligence—but that these effects are stronger for majorities. Results of two samples of working adults, using both self‐report (n= 441, Study 1) and matched employee‐observer (n= 181, Study 2) data provide strong support for the model. Cultural intelligence mediates the effects of prior intercultural contact on international leadership potential. Further, moderated mediation analyses demonstrate that cultural intelligence mediates the relationship between prior intercultural contact and international leadership potential for majorities, but not for minorities. The current study offers contributions to theory and practice in at least two ways. First, the proposed model is theoretically important because it provides a more complete picture of predictors of international leadership potential and it reconciles prior inconsistent findings by showing the mediating role of cultural intelligence and moderating role of minority status. Second, the study adds to the increasing evidence suggesting that prior intercultural contact and cultural intelligence are meaningful criteria for developing international leaders. More important, results show that prior intercultural contact is especially important for majorities.