Cross-cultural psychology studies “similarities and differences in individual psycholog-
ical and social functioning in various cultures and ethnic groups” (Kagitcibasi & Berry,
1989, p. 494). When extended to I /O psychology, the investigation pertains to the work
context. The globalization of business has compelled I /O psychology to examine how its
theories and practices apply in cultures other than North America and Western Europe.
The increased interest in cross-cultural I /O psychology stems from greater cultural
diversity in the workforce, U.S. companies doing business overseas, partnerships or joint
ventures between companies from different countries, and the development of new elec-
tronic means of communication that render geographic boundaries between nations
meaningless. Smith, Fischer, and Sale (2001) posed the basic question: “Does I /O psy-
chology contain an established body of well-researched knowledge, which organizations
would be best advised to draw upon wherever their operation is located” (p. 148)? As
a scientific discipline, I /O psychology is examining to what degrees and in what ways
cultural differences influence the work world.