The Effects of Social Support and Cultural Intelligence on Expatriate Adjustment and Performance

This study aims to extend a theoretical model of cultural intelligence (CQ) and social support to examine cross-cultural adjustment and expatriate performance based on social learning and social exchange theories. The sample was drawn from the expatriate managers of MNC subsidiaries from Taiwan region and Chinese mainland in Cambodia. A cross-sectional study was conducted research on garment factories, banking services, and casinos owned by companies from Taiwan region and Chinese mainland. A self-administered survey was used to email HRM managers of each department of subsidiaries from Taiwan region and Chinese mainland in Cambodia to ask for details on expatriates’ personal information. A total of 156 valid responses were to proceed with further analyses. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the hypothesis development. The results reveal that cultural intelligence (CQ) and social support positively and significantly contribute to cross-cultural adjustment and performance. The findings of this study are very important for academia and professionals in an expatriate context.