Interactions among culturally diverse personnel: An analysis of individual difference variables

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate attitudes toward interacting with foreign nationals from emerging and developed markets. Differences in attitudes are assessed using liability-of-foreignness factors. Design/methodology/approach: Purposive sample collected at a private university in Australia; hierarchical linear modeling approach examines differences across regions of Australia, Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America; Type 2 moderated mediation procedures. Findings: Findings argue for variations across individual difference variables relative to the inclination to interact with emerging markets foreign nationals. Europeans' willingness to interact with emerging market foreign nationals is diminished with high levels of tendency to stereotype, whereas North Americans' willingness to interact with developed market foreign nationals is enhanced with high levels of tendency to stereotype. Research limitations/implications: Use of self-reported measures may limit validity and generalizability; cross-sectional data; common method variance. Practical implications: A greater consideration of cultural diversity inherent in the workforce allows for diminished adjustment difficulties. Acknowledgment and contextualization of diversity is not an option but a necessity upon which organizations must act to reach their fullest potential in respective foreign locations. Social implications: Supports greater respect for social and cultural beliefs, norms, and values. Respect has implications for relationships and performance. Originality/value: Content presents diversity issues within global organizations on their quest to employ global talent.