Personality traits and expatriate adjustment in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate and reflect upon the effects of personality traits on expatriate adjustment within the context of Malaysia’s multicultural society. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the multicultural personality questionnaire (MPQ) and extrapolating from the literature on expatriate adjustment, the authors introduce five hypotheses, which are then tested based on data derived from 101 expatriates working in Malaysia. Findings The results indicate a positive relationship between both open-mindedness and adjustment as well as between flexibility and adjustment. However, the authors did not observe any significant positive relationship between the three remaining MPQ personality traits and expatriate adjustment. Originality/value While various studies have investigated the relationship between personality and expatriate adjustment in an Asian context, the majority have been conducted in largely monocultural settings, or at least on the implicit assumption of a single societal culture within the host country. This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the relationship in the context of a multicultural Asian host country.

Factors Contributing to Expatriate Adjustment to Life in Malaysia

“…There is a significant positive relationship between OM and expatriate adjustment to life in Malaysia. This had been found previously by Peltokorpi & Froese (2012), Ali, Van der Zen & Sanders (2003), Richardson, Tan & Kiumarsi (2018) and Huang, Chi & Lawler (2005). Thus, hypothesis 4 is supported.…”

“…Because it is necessary for expatriates to work in different cultural environments and to strike the balance between effectual decision-making and execution, there is a need for broad-mindedness among them. It may be particularly important that different opinions, behaviours and values are allowed to be shared (Richardson, Tan and Kiumarsi, 2018 H4: There is significant positive relationship between OM and expatriate adjustment to life in Malaysia.…”

MBTI Personality Types of Korean Cabin Crew in Middle Eastern Airlines, and Their Associations with Cross-Cultural Adjustment Competency, Occupational Competency, Coping Competency, Mental Health, and Turnover Intention

“…Second, it was revealed that an individual’s personality had a significant effect on cross-cultural adjustment competency, which can also impact mental health and intention to resign. This finding corresponds to previous studies highlighting that personality is an essential variable affecting an individual’s ability in terms of cultural adaptation [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], as well as research which verified that the competence of individuals in functioning effectively in cross-cultural situations plays an important role in lowering stress and burnout [ 7 , 53 ]. Additionally, foreign cabin crew in international airlines often encounter the acculturation stress, which possibly enhances their depression and will lead to intention to leave the organization [ 3 , 4 , 6 ].…”

“…In this study, we focused on personality as the crucial factor influencing cabin crew members’ competency such as cross-cultural adjustment competency, occupational competency, and coping competency. According to the previous studies, there is a particularly strong correlation between personality and cross-cultural adjustment [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. It has been even suggested that personality is one of the more important factors to help for effective adjustment than professional work skill, which can be learned through special training [ 13 ].…”

Prevalence of Insufficient Sleep and Its Associated Factors Among Working Adults in Malaysia

“…28,29 Our findings differ from past evidence that young adults are more vulnerable to chronic sleep deficiency and recurrent circadian disruption than older adults, 30 and are at odds with reports which indicate that older adults are less likely to experience issues related to sleep. 22 The presence of children has been found to be a risk factor for insufficient sleep among adults. 31 A study in Singapore found that adults who slept with children, studied, read leisurely, drank caffeinated beverages or smoked were more likely to experience inadequate sleep.…”