At the beginning, expatriates are very positive and excited about their assignments aboard, and about
discovering new culture. But, after a period of few months, they enter the next phase until they reach
the lowest point in the curve, known as “culture shock”. However, as the expatriates start to adapt to
the new culture and feel more settled, the curve will go up again.
Difficulties with Cross-Cultural adjustments are some of the major reasons for premature return of
expatriates or their families (Black and Gregersen 1997).
A recent study (Abdul Malek & Budhwar 2013) found a positive direct influence of the expatriates’
cultural intelligence with their work interaction and adjustments.
Emotional intelligence was found by Gabel, Dolan & Cerdin (2005) as having a significant correlation
with specific performance and can be used predictor of cultural adjustment for success in international
assignment.