Home Versus Host — Identifying With Either, Both, or Neither?

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between dual cultural identities and intercultural effectiveness. Upon the evidence of the regulating effects of cultural identities on individuals’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to cultural stimuli, we argue that cultural identities cast non-negligible influence on intercultural effectiveness. Focusing on the distinction between identity to one’s cultural origin and identity to host culture, we hypothesize that individuals high on both identities are more effective than those low on both of them, followed by those high on one of the identities but low on the other. We apply polynomial regression and the response surface method to data collected from managers and workers with international experience ( n = 82), in order to better capture the relationship between dual cultural identities and various aspects of intercultural effectiveness. The hypotheses are generally supported. Theoretical and practical implications for further capitalizing on such knowledge are discussed.