Cultural intelligence as a predictor of organizational outcome

Since its introduction less than two decades ago, cultural intelligence (CQ) has emerged as a new field of research against the backdrop of globalization to advance our understanding of the required capabilities for individuals and firms to function effectively in contexts characterized by cultural complexity. Despite its recognition as an independent factor within a multi-loci framework of intelligences influencing individual and organizational outcomes, CQ’s nature and conceptualization on the three levels of analysis currently identified are still ambiguous. Consequently, CQ’s associations with proposed outcomes are also undertheorized. Upon a review of the literature, this paper will advance three main arguments, First, aside from the original individual level, clarification is required for CQ on the team and firm levels as to whether it is a collective manifestation of individual CQ or something entirely different. Second, organizational outcomes related to CQ have not been fully imagined, particularly in the contexts of transformations of organizational structures and leadership configurations in the modern economy. Third, the current theoretical framework and future research agenda can be enriched by adding an ethical dimension and a meta-firm level of analysis.