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Moving in and adjusting to a new country without the support of an employer? Tapping into personal dispositions and capabilities to achieve social well-being

journal contribution
posted on 2020-01-01, 00:00 authored by Alfred PresbiteroAlfred Presbitero
PurposeSocial well-being is the perception and feeling of belongingness and integration within the community and the broader society. For self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) who rely on their own personal resources and network, the achievement of high levels of social well-being can be challenging (compared to corporate-initiated expatriates who typically receive pre-departure training and relocation assistance from their employers). Hence, in this study, we examine personal factors and theoretically ground how they can be helpful and influence the achievement of high levels of social well-being among SIEs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a survey study (n = 215) involving SIEs to determine how specific personal factors influence the achievement of social well-being.FindingsThe authors analyzed the data using PROCESS approach and results show that cultural intelligence positively and significantly relates to social well-being. In addition, cross-cultural adjustment is shown to exert an influence as a mediator and further found to be moderated by a personality trait (i.e. emotional stability). Supplementary analyses further show support for the critical role of each of the dimensions of cultural intelligence in the moderated-mediation process.Originality/valueThis study offers novel insights relevant for SIEs who move in to another country and try to socially integrate without any support from employers. The study highlights how personal resources and capabilities could help in the achievement of social well-being. Specifically, the findings suggest the important role of cultural intelligence which needs to be developed prior and after the relocation. Also, the study suggests how a personality trait such as emotional stability can be tapped to increase the likelihood of achieving social well-being among SIEs.

History

Journal

Personnel Review

Volume

50

Pagination

1168-1184

ISSN

0048-3486

eISSN

1758-6933

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal, C Journal article

Issue

4

Publisher

EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD