The Impact of Cultural Intelligence on Team Performance: An Analysis of the Mediating Effects of Intercultural Communicative Competence and Team Cohesion among Chinese Automotive Enterprises in Thailand
Keywords:
Cultural Intelligence, Intercultural Communicative Competence, Team Cohesion, Team Performance, Chinese Automotive Enterprises, Thailand, PLS-SEMAbstract
This study investigates the influence of cultural intelligence (CQ) on team performance among Chinese automotive enterprises operating in Thailand. Drawing on a structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, the research explores the mediating roles of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and team cohesion (TC). A survey was conducted among Chinese expatriate managers and Thai local employees in joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The findings reveal that CQ has a significant positive effect on team performance both directly and indirectly through enhanced communication and team cohesion. This study contributes to the international business and cross-cultural management literature by providing empirical evidence on how CQ functions as a strategic asset in multicultural team contexts, particularly in the automotive industry in Southeast Asia. Limitations of the Study. One limitation pertains to the sampling method. The study employed a convenience sampling method, with participants primarily being Chinese employees working in Chinese automotive enterprises in Thailand. This sampling approach may introduce bias, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Future research could employ more robust sampling techniques, such as random or stratified sampling, to enhance the representativeness of the sample and the reliability of the results.Another limitation is the cross-sectional nature of the study. With data collected at a single point in time, the ability to infer causality is restricted. Future research could adopt a longitudinal design, collecting data at multiple time points to more accurately assess the dynamic relationships between CQ, ICC, TC, and TP. Lastly, focusing on Chinese automotive enterprises in Thailand, this study\'s findings may not be readily applicable to other industries or regions. Future research could explore different industry and geographical contexts to validate the universality of the results.
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