Examinations of the Role of Individual Adaptability in Cross-Cultural Adjustment

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 490-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Hua ◽  
Jinyan Fan ◽  
Alan Walker ◽  
Ning Hou ◽  
Lu Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Identification ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Prospective Design

We present the results of two studies utilizing the novel theoretical perspective of individual adaptability (I-ADAPT) theory in the study of cross-cultural adjustment. Study 1, implementing a two-wave prospective design and involving 156 international students, examined the relationships between I-ADAPT and cultural identification on cross-cultural adjustment. We found that I-ADAPT positively related to cross-cultural adjustment and that cultural identification mediated this relationship. Study 2, using a three-wave prospective design and involving 312 international students, extended Study 1 by including openness to experience as a control variable and perceived stress as an additional mediator. We confirmed the mediating roles of cultural identification and perceived stress between I-ADAPT and cross-cultural adjustment. Our results offer support for future research utilizing I-ADAPT theory in the study of international adjustment.

scholarly journals Proactive Personality and Cross-Cultural Adjustment

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 817-835
Author(s):  
Jing Hua ◽  
Guilin Zhang ◽  
Charles Coco ◽  
Teng Zhao ◽  
Ning Hou
Keyword(s):  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Proactive Personality ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prospective Design ◽  
The Social ◽  
Positive Perspective

Combining proactive literature, the social learning/cognitive theory, and cross-cultural adjustment literature, we examined the sojourners’ experience from a positive perspective. Using a three-wave prospective design and a sample of 135 international students, we found that proactive personality was positively related to adjustment self-efficacy, which in turn positively related to academic and social adjustment. Meanwhile, adjustment self-efficacy mediated the link between proactive personality and adjustment. Implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.

International pharmacy students’ transition to Nottingham: Semi-structured interviews (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yicong Liu
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Teaching Style ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Independent Study ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
International Pharmacy ◽  
The Uk

BACKGROUND The transition from China to the UK can be challenging, and there is increasing concern among academics since cross-cultural learning and living may be a challenge for these students. OBJECTIVE To find out international pharmacy students’ worries and challenges as well as benefits on the transition experience from China to the UK. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were used to explore this group of students’ transition experiences. Selective transcription was done because of time limitations in the project. RESULTS The natural and cultural environment was the most pleasant experience for Tianjin students during this transition process. Cross-cultural adjustment and self-adaptability, as well as their autonomous learning ability were the main barriers for international students. CONCLUSIONS The difference between Asian and Western culture caused barriers for international students to fit into a new environment. In terms of integrating into local students, insufficient English language skills, culture shock and personality could be the influence factors. Moreover, the different teaching style and learning style could be the possible reasons for students having difficulty in an independent study. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

Taking the “culture” out of “culture shock” – a critical review of literature on cross-cultural adjustment in international relocation

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 278-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Culture Shock ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
International Management ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the use of the term “culture shock” in international management studies and cross-cultural research and to propose a paradigmatic shift in how the term is understood for future research. The experience of “culture shock” is an established concept within international management studies, engendering an industry of training designed to combat difficulties in relocation. This paper argues that the use of concept is based on a flawed understanding of “culture” and proposes an alternative perspective to help organisations prepare their employees for overseas assignments. Design/methodology/approach The paper opts for a critical review of literature to examine models of culture shock through time and theories relating to success factors in cross-cultural adjustment. In so doing, the paper revisits the notion of culture shock from a social constructionist perspective within a dialectical framework. Findings The paper challenges the notion of culture as an essential, reified concept, arguing that culture shock is not about culture, but about the dynamics of context and how individuals deal with life changes to navigate the challenges that they face. Research limitations/implications Future research should focus on context-related, interactive behaviour, framed in discourse processes, rather than predetermined a priori typologies based on cultural stereotypes. This would recognise the discursive nature of social interaction within a dialectical framework, where relational tension emerges as a result of disparity. Practical implications The paper contributes to an understanding of the complex range of factors influencing the success of relocation to guide international companies in their policies. Originality/value This paper proposes a paradigm shift in the treatment of culture shock towards a more discourse-based concept created through universal cultural and dialectical processes.

scholarly journals Cross-Cultural Factors That Influence Adjustment Process of International Students in Malaysian Public Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Research Survey

International students’ enrolment in higher education in Malaysia has expanded widely in scope, volume, and complexity, giving rise to a myriad of challenges and difficulties in their adjustment process, which have to be understood and addressed. In this study, the cross-cultural factors that influence psychological, sociocultural, and self-realization adjustments amongst international students studying in Malaysian public universities were examined. The purpose of this research was to gauge a better understanding of the difficulties and challenges encountered by them when pursuing higher education opportunities in Malaysian public universities, and how they had managed to overcome the necessary adjustments. A research survey based on 31item questionnaires was formulated. Stratified random sampling methodology was adopted in the distribution of 250 questionnaires, with a total of 218 responses received. Data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ software. The variables, socio-cultural adjustment, and self-realization adjustment showed negative correlations towards their adjustment process. The outcomes should enable university faculties and staff to recognize foreign students’ needs, and effectively offer supportive campus resources and services to assist them in their adjustment process.

scholarly journals Frequency and Importance of Accurate Heritage Name Pronunciation For International Students in Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Shan Doris Zhang ◽  
Kimberly Noels
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Language Minority ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Strong Connection ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Personal Connection ◽  
Correct Pronunciation ◽  
The Impact

International students’ names are often mispronounced, and this experience can have psychological and relational implications for some students’ cross-cultural adjustment. Little research, however, has examined why students are or are not bothered by mispronunciations. This study examined the impact of heritage name mispronunciation on 173 language-minority international students in Canada. The results indicated that although heritage name mispronunciations were frequent, only about half of the sample perceived correct pronunciation as important. Those who felt accurate pronunciation was important stressed that their name had a strong connection to their heritage and that mispronunciations were disrespectful of that significance. Those who felt accurate pronunciation was not important cited little personal connection to the name and accepted mispronunciations for reasons of efficiency. In general, international students expressed appreciation for hosts’ pronunciation efforts, and also acknowledged hosts’ pronunciation difficulties were often due to linguistic differences. The implications for enhancing international students’ experiences are discussed.

Intercultural adjustment challenges of Korean and Canadian self-initiated expatriates in the workplace: An exploratory bidirectional investigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Arseneault
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Challenges ◽  
Intercultural Adjustment

This study uses a qualitative approach and bidirectional design to explore the unique intercultural adjustment challenges that Korean and Canadian self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) experience in each other’s workplace. Through semi-structured interviews we draw upon thematic analysis to surface unique cross-cultural challenges finding that a ‘one-size’ fits all approach to understanding SIE adjustment is overly simplified and omits contextual considerations. Canadian SIEs struggled with issues related to power distance, collectivism and communication styles, whereas language barriers, individualism and hierarchical differences were major challenges for Korean SIEs. We apply our findings to previous conceptual models of cross-cultural adjustment and discuss three criteria: size of cultural gap, direction of immigration and unique contextual factors as necessary for understanding the intricate dynamics of SIE and host-country national relationships. Implications and limitations of this study are followed by recommendations for future research.

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