Examining the Effect of Five-Factor Personality Traits on Cultural Intelligence

With the impact of globalization in the field of education as in every area, the tendency of individuals to prefer other countries and cultures for education has increased. Individuals who move to different cultural environments for educational purposes face different cultural challenges. In this regard, cultural intelligence (CI) emerges, which contributes to managing cultural differences in the best way, using them in the most appropriate way for the benefit of individuals and organizations, and exhibiting appropriate behaviors in different cultural environments. This study aims to determine the effect of five-factor personality traits (FFPT) on the cultural intelligence (CI) of international university students through an experimental research design. Further, the effect of five factor personality trait dimensions on cultural intelligence was examined. Valid responses were obtained from 585 international students continuing their education in different faculties and departments of Mardin Artuklu University. The data were analyzed with the structural equation modelling (SEM) AMOS package program. Result of the analysis, it was seen that FFPT have a positive and significant effect on CI. In addition, positive significant effects of the FFPT dimensions (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, and neuroticism) on the dimensions of CI (cognitive, meta-cognitive, behavioral, and motivational) were observed.