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Do identity and status matter? A social identity theory perspective on the adaptability of low‐status expatriates
Author(s) -
Sunguh Kenneth Khavwandiza,
Abbas Asad,
Olabode Alabi Charles,
Xuehe Zhang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of public affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.221
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1479-1854
pISSN - 1472-3891
DOI - 10.1002/pa.1938
Subject(s) - expatriate , prejudice (legal term) , moderation , social psychology , adaptability , psychology , social identity theory , identity (music) , self esteem , perspective (graphical) , china , multilevel model , social status , sociology , political science , social group , management , social science , economics , mathematics , physics , statistics , geometry , acoustics , law
The study aims to investigate the effect of identify and status in the field of global mobility and expatriate management. It conceptualizes perceived prejudice towards low‐status expatriates (LSE) though the social identity theory (SIT) lens and examines the effect it has on two state self‐esteem domains, that is, performance self‐esteem and social self‐esteem. The study also highlights that the moderation roles education level and age of expatriates play towards their adaptability. In doing so, it seeks to expand the expatriate management domain by investigating the negative side associated with expatriation. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze responses from 373 LSE working in China. The results provide evidence indicating the significance attached to status and identity, thus indicating that perceived prejudice significantly affects expatriate's self‐esteem negatively and that age and education level mitigate these effects by moderating the relationship. Age and education level attained by the expatriates are found to be significant moderators in this relationship. The study therefore proposes the use of SIT as a powerful theoretical lens for understanding LSE.