Transcultural Brokerage: The Role of Cosmopolitans in Bridging Structural and Cultural Holes

Abstract

TRANSCULTURAL BROKERAGE: THE ROLE OF COSMOPOLITANS IN BRIDGING STRUCTURAL AND CULTURAL HOLES ABSTRACTThe growth and proliferation of global systems and transnational cultures have generated larger and more diverse types of cosmopolitans, all of whom span conventional social boundaries. Understanding this diversity is increasingly important because cosmopolitans often bridge across a wide range of transnational and global networks within and across global organizations. Drawing on multiple disciplines, we conceptualize cosmopolitanism as an embodied disposition characterized by high levels of cultural transcendence and openness that are manifested in and enacted along varied trajectories of cultural embeddedness in one's own culture and cultural engagement with the cultural Other. We then propose an analytical framework for the influence of cosmopolitan disposition on transcultural brokerage processes, specifically on bridging structural and cultural holes. Finally, we present a typology of cosmopolitan brokers and their corresponding practices and activities as they engage in transcultural brokerage. By recognizing the diversity and complexity of cosmopolitans and their respective dispositions, we significantly expand the pool of "global talent" beyond the traditional focus on expatriates, and we challenge the conventional wisdom on who counts as talent in an interconnected world.

Making connections: Social networks in international business

“…Social network brokers interpret and transfer knowledge across the gaps in social structure, moving ideas from one cluster to another (Burt, 1992). Recent theory has emphasized the importance of brokers spanning across structural and cultural holes in a transnational context (Levy, Lee, Jonsen, & Peiperl, 2019). The MNC would seem to be a prime site for the importance of such brokerage at the interpersonal level, but relevant studies are lacking.…”

Attention! Cosmopolitans ahead – They may not be as creative as they think!

“…In offering this quote, Hall () builds the case for cosmopolitanism as a crossing of cultural identities, in which one has “the ability to stand outside of having one's life written and scripted by any one” culture (Hall, , p. 26). Cosmopolitanism is the cognitive ability to draw from a number of different cultural repertoires, and author one's understanding of self as a hybrid, not bound by any one nation‐state or cultural community (Levy, Lee, Peiperl, & Jonsen, ). The quote also suggests that this cognitive ability to construct the self as a hybrid of cultures creates a vehicle for novelty and creativity.…”

“…Despite these different forms and perspectives on cosmopolitanism, “the concept of openness to cultural difference remains widely regarded as a defining characteristic of the cosmopolitan” (Skovgaard‐Smith & Poulfelt, , p. 130). We draw on the cultural cosmopolitanism perspective, the most common perspective in the management literature (Levy et al, , ; Skovgaard‐Smith & Poulfelt, ), to understand the cognitive orientation that influences the extent to which individuals view themselves as cosmopolitans.…”

“…However, deeming cosmopolitanism as openness alone oversimplifies its true essence. Indeed, scholars found evidence that cosmopolitans consciously and deliberately explore cultural otherness (Hannerz, ; Skrbis, Kendall, & Woodward, ) and it is this orientation to seek and integrate cultural differences in one's sense of self (Levy et al, ) that is at the root of the relationship with creativity. A frequent characterization of cosmopolitans is that they are “citizens of the world” and thus, clanless or without culture (Nussbaum, ; Vertovec & Cohen, ), but most scholars agree that cosmopolitanism is an orientation of self that is inherently cultural, yet simultaneously transcends culture.…”

The new Millennial global leaders: what a difference a generation makes!

“…Bridge makers can be said to have a cosmopolitan disposition defined by engagement with the 'cultural other' while facilitating interaction between people across national cultural boundaries (Levy, Lee, Jonsen, & Peiperl, 2019). Such interactions can take place within global teams (virtual as well as face-to-face teams), departments, or other organizational units with a diverse workforce.…”