Emotional Intelligence, Social Competencies and Cultural Adjustment of Expatriates in Malaysia: the Mediating Role of Self-Motivation. 
Jugindar Singh Kartar Singh1, Nik Hasnaa Nik Mahmood2, Zabedah bt Othman3
1Jugindar Singh, School of Management, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.
2Nik Hasnaa Nik Mahmood, Fakulti Teknologi & Informatik Razak,, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
3Zabedah bt Othman, Business School, Open University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Manuscript received on 01 September 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 10 September 2019 | Manuscript Published on 23 September 2019 | PP: 617-627 | Volume-8 Issue-5C, May 2019 | Retrieval Number: E10880585C19/19©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.E1088.0585C19
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Emotional intelligence and social competencies are a few constructs that predict the cultural adjustment of expatriates. There is a dearth of studies that explored the impact of emotional intelligence and social competencies on the cultural adjustment of expatriates in Malaysia. Hence, this study focusses on the relationship between emotional intelligence and social competencies on cultural adjustment of expatriates. Additionally, the mediation role of self-motivation was examined. This quantitative study used a cross-sectional survey to collect primary data. Random sampling was used to collect data from a sample of 301 expatriates. Questionnaires were sent either by hand or electronically. This study used PLS SEM to estimate the model. The results pointed out that emotional intelligence and social competencies are essential predictors of cultural adjustment. The results also revealed the mediating role of self-motivation. The findings added to the current body of knowledge and presented new insights into the contribution of emotional intelligence and social competencies towards cultural adjustment of expatriates. Based on the findings, organizations and HR managers involved in managing expatriates for global assignment can implement policies and processes to select and prepare the right expatriates for global assignments.
Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Social Competency, Self Motivation, Cultural Adjustment, Expatriates .
Scope of the Article: Social Sciences