From diversity to destination: Unlocking the drivers of internationalization among expatriates

Drawing on stewardship theory, we propose a serial mediation model in which diversity climate enhances attitudes toward internationalization through the sequential effects of expatriate adjustment and cultural intelligence. Furthermore, we investigate the moderating role of risk propensity in strengthening the relationship between cultural intelligence and internationalization attitudes. Using time-lagged data from 221 expatriate managers in the UAE, we assessed hypotheses through structural equation modeling. The results indicate that diversity climate positively influences internationalization attitudes, with expatriate adjustment and cultural intelligence serving as sequential mediators. Additionally, risk propensity positively moderates the relationship between cultural intelligence and internationalization. Our findings contribute to the expatriate management literature by uncovering the psychological and organizational mechanisms linking workplace diversity to the development of a global mindset. Practical implications suggest that fostering inclusive environments and enhancing cultural learning can promote internationalization readiness, particularly for risk-inclined expatriates.