A mixed methods study: Dimensions of cross-cultural professional success: Experiences of Western women living and working in Eastern cultures.

摘要

In this world of global interconnectedness women continue to develop cross-cultural careers and their experiences impact and influence global scholarship and practice. Through this study, the relationships, resources, and characteristics that support female expatriate success were explored, with additional focus on the role of mentor and coach relationships. The mixed-methods study was conducted using a sequential approach to research that began with one-on-one semi structured interviews with ten professional women from the United States and Canada working or formerly working in China and Hong Kong. A survey was designed based on the interview findings. Professional women from western countries working or formerly working in eastern cultures responded to the 90-question survey (n = 102). The data collection process ended with facilitated focus groups, attended by nine professional women from the United States, Canada, and Australia working or formerly working in China and Hong Kong. The research findings offer evidence that resiliency-based characteristics must be cultivated and developed to support expatriate cross-cultural success. Findings show perceived success was impacted by expatriate resiliency, access to a mentor/coach, opportunities to support others, prior international experience, and culture specific language skills. A significant relationship was found between specific characteristics and expatriate resiliency. Based on the overall findings, the Cross-Cultural Professional Success model was designed and includes four dimensions. This emergent model is presented and discussed followed by a reflective auto-ethnography section. The research study concludes by offering implications for female expatriates, organizational programming, and future research. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA http://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLink ETD Center https://etd.ohiolink.edu/etd.