A Model of Communication Context and Measure of Context Dependence

In this research, we conceptualize the construct of communication context as the multiplicity of nonverbal, relational, spatial, and temporal cues that can be drawn upon to convey and understand meaning. We developed and validated a four-component measure of context dependence and explored associations of context dependence with individual (a) self-construal and (b) cultural intelligence. Our data reveal that individuals with a stronger interdependent self-construal are more likely to pay attention to and rely on all forms of communication context to convey meaning. Our findings also show that individuals who are more highly context-dependent communicators have higher cultural intelligence. From a global workforce perspective, we discuss the theoretical and empirical implications of these findings for understanding the processes and outcomes of communication among organizational members.