Sub-dimensions of the four factor model of cultural intelligence : expanding the conceptualization and measurement of cultural intelligence

TLDR: In this paper, the authors introduce an expanded conceptualization of CQ that delineates sub-dimensions for each of the four factors, including metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral dimensions.

Abstract: Cultural intelligence (CQ) – the capability to function effectively in intercultural settings – has gained increasing attention from researchers and practitioners due to its contemporary relevance to globalization, international management, and workforce diversification. Research-to-date demonstrates that CQ predicts a variety of important outcomes in intercultural contexts, such as cultural adaptation, expatriate performance, global leadership, intercultural negotiation, and multicultural team processes. Moving beyond past research that tends to focus on the four primary factors of CQ – metacognitive CQ, cognitive CQ, motivational CQ, and behavioral CQ, we introduce an expanded conceptualization of CQ that delineates sub-dimensions for each of the four factors. We briefly review psychometric evidence supporting the proposed second order 11-factor structure and convergent ⁄ discriminant validity of the sub-dimensions. We propose that the next wave of CQ research should be guided by a deeper understanding of each of four factors of CQ. Cultural intelligence (CQ) has gained increasing attention from researchers in the area of intercultural management studies (Ng & Earley, 2006). With the increasing globalization of organizations and diversification of domestic workforces, understanding why some individuals function more effectively than others in culturally diverse situations has become more important than ever (Gelfand, Erez, & Aycan, 2007). Earley and Ang (2003) introduced the concept of CQ – defined as the capability of an individual to function effectively in culturally diverse settings. Drawing upon Sternberg and Detterman’s (1986) multi-loci theory of intelligence, Ang and Van Dyne (2008) conceptualized CQ as a four-factor construct that includes metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral dimensions. To date, most CQ theory and empirical research has focused on the four factors of CQ and has relied on the 20-item Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) (Ang et al., 2007). This measure has gone through an extensive validation process, and research demonstrates that it is generalizable across a) multiple student and executive samples (Ang et al., 2007; Van Dyne, Ang, & Koh, 2008), b) time intervals ranging from four weeks (Shokef &