Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Examining the Influence of Self-Efficacy, Optimism and Curiosity on the Performance of International Locals

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Contemporary Influences on International Business in Latin America

Part of the book series: AIB Latin America ((AIBLAT))

  • 288 Accesses

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect that three positive attributes have on work performance among a sample of international locals. We measured the influence of self-efficacy, optimism and curiosity on performance in intercultural interactions. We argue that these traits contribute to performance when having intercultural interactions. Significant bivariate correlations were found between work performance and these traits separately. Moreover, the regression model that we proposed—including self-efficacy, optimism and curiosity—predicted work performance and that the individual attributes with higher significant contributions were self-efficacy and curiosity. We discuss the practical and theoretical importance of these preliminary finding and suggest future lines of research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allen, B.P., and C.R. Potkay. 1981. On the arbitrary distinction between states and traits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 41: 916–928.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allport, G.W., and H.S. Odbert. 1936. Trait-names: A psycho-lexical study. Psychological Monographs 47 (211): 1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avey, J.B., F. Luthans, and S.M. Jensen. 2009. Psychological capital: A positive resource to combat employee stress and turnover. Human Resource Management 48 (5): 677–693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avey, J.B., F. Luthans, and C.M. Youssef. 2010. The additive value of positive psychological capital in predicting work attitudes. Journal of Management 36 (2): 430–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, A.B., and W.B. Schaufeli. 2008. Positive organizational behavior: Engaged employees in flourishing organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior 29 (2): 147–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. 1986b. The explanatory and predictive scope of self-efficacy theory. Journal of Clinical and Social Psychology 4: 359–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. (1997a). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2000. Exercise of human agency through collective efficacy. Current Directions in Psychological Science 9: 75–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrick, M.R., and M.K. Mount. 1991. The big five personality dimensions and job performance a meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology 44: 1–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrick, M.R., M.K. Mount, and J.P. Strauss. 1993. Conscientiousness and performance of sales representatives: Test of the mediating effects of goal setting. Journal of Applied Psychology (5): 715–722.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, C.A., and R.J. Sternberg. 1985. A triarchic theory of intellectual development during adulthood. Developmental Review 5 (4): 334–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black, J.S. 1990. Personal dimensions and work role transitions. Management International Review 30: 119–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, J.S., M. Mendenhall, and G. Oddou. 1991. Toward a comprehensive model of international adjustment: An integration of multiple theoretical perspectives. Academy of Management Review 16: 291–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black, J.S., H.B. Gregersen, M. Mendenhall, and L. Stroh. 1999. Globalizing people through international assignments. Boston: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewster, C., A. Hegewisch, and L. Mayne. 1994. Trends in HRM in Western Europe In. In Human resource management in Europe: Perspectives for the 1990s, ed. P.S. Kirkbride, 56–89. London/New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caligiuri, P.M. 1997. Assessing expatriate success: Beyond just ‘being there’. In Expatriate management: Theory and practice, ed. Z. Aycan, vol. 4, 45–67. Greenwich: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2000a. The big five personality characteristics as predictors of expatriate success. Personnel Psychology 53: 67–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2000b. Selecting expatriates for personality characteristics: A moderating effect of personality on the relationship between host national contact and cross-cultural adjustment. Management International Review 40 (1): 61–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, K.S. 2008. Paradox in positive organizational change. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science 44: 7–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J.P., J.J. McHenry, and L.L. Wise. 1990. Modeling job performance in a population of jobs. Personnel Psychology 43 (2): 313–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carver, C.S., and M.F. Scheier. 2005. Optimism. In Handbook of positive psychology, ed. C.R. Snyder and S.J. Lopez, 231–256. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cattell, R.B. 1965. The scientific analysis of personality. Baltimore: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Churchill, G.A., Jr., N.M. Ford, W.H. Steven, and O.C. Walker Jr. 1985. The determinants of salesperson performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marketing Research 22: 103–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck, H.J. 1992. Four ways five factors are not basic. Personality and Individual Differences 13: 667–673.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrar, D.E., and R.R. Glauber. 1967. Multicollinearity in regression analysis: The problem revisited. Review of Economics and Statistics 49: 92–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Furuya, N., M.J. Stevens, A. Bird, G. Oddou, and M. Mendenhall. 2009. Managing the learning and transfer of global management competence: Antecedents and outcomes of Japanese repatriation effectiveness. Journal of International Business Studies 40 (2): 200–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giaccobe, R.W., D.W. Jackson Jr., L.A. Crosby, and C.M. Bridges. 2006. A contingency approach to adaptive selling behavior and sales performance: Selling situations and salesperson characteristics. Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management 26 (2): 115–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillham, J.E., and M.E.P. Seligman. 1999. Footsteps on the road to a positive psychology. Behavior Research and Therapy 37: 163–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillham, B. 2000. The research interview. London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hechanova, R., T.A. Beehr, and N.D. Christiansen. 2003. Antecedents and consequences of employees’ adjustment to overseas assignment: a meta-analytic review. Applied Psychology: An International Review 52 (2): 213–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C.E. 1977. Human emotions. New York: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Javidan, M., and M.B. Teagarden. 2011. Conceptualizing and measuring global mindset. Advances in Global Leadership 6: 13–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javidan, M., and D. Bowen. 2013. The ‘Global Mindset’ of managers: What it is, why it matters, and how to develop it. Organizational Dynamics 42 (2): 145–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashdan, T.B., M.W. Gallagher, P.J. Silvia, B.P. Winterstein, W.E. Breen, D. Terhar, and M.F. Steger. 2009. The curiosity and exploration inventory-II: Development, factor structure, and initial psychometrics. Journal of Research in Personality 43: 987–998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashdan, T.B., and J. Rottenberg. 2010. Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review 30 (7): 865–878.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelloway, E.K., N. Turner, J. Barling, and C. Loughlin. 2012. Transformational leadership and employee psychological well-being: The mediating role of employee trust in leadership. Work & Stress 26 (1): 39–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y.Y. 1987. Preface. In Cross-cultural adaptation: Current approaches, ed. Y.Y. Kim and W.B. Gudykunst, 7–17. Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koen, J., U.-C. Klehe, and A.E.M. Van Vianen. 2012. Training career adaptability to facilitate a successful school-to-work transition. Journal of Vocational Behavior 81 (3): 395–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krietler, S., and H. Krietler. 1994. Motivational and cognitive determinants of exploration. In Curiosity and exploration, ed. H. Keller, K. Schneider, and B. Henderson, 259–284. New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, L.Y., and M. Sukoco. 2010. The effects of cultural intelligence on expatriate performance: The moderating effects of international experience. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 21 (7/9): 963–981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, O., S. Beechler, S. Taylor, and N. Boyacigiller. 2007. What we talk about when we talk about global mindset: Managerial cognition in multinational corporations. Journal of International Business Studies 38 (2): 31–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstein, G. 1994. The psychology of curiosity: A review and reinterpretation. Psychological Bulletin 116: 75–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F. 2002a. The need for and meaning of positive organizational behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior 23: 695–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2002b. Positive organizational behavior: Developing and managing psychological al strengths. The Academy of Management Executive 16: 57–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F., B.J. Avolio, J.B. Avey, and S.M. Norman. 2007. Positive psychological capital: Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology 60: 541–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F., and C.M. Youssef. 2007a. Emerging positive organizational behavior. Journal of Management 33: 321–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mamman, A. 1995. Expatriates’ intercultural effectiveness: Relevant variables and implications. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources 33 (1): 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1177/103841119503300103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maznevski, M.L., and H.W. Lane. 2004. Shaping the global mindset: Designing educational experiences for effective global thinking and action. In Crossing cultures: Insights from master teachers, ed. M. Phillips, 171–184. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCloy, R.A., J.P. Campbell, and R. Cudeck. 1994. A confirmatory test of a model of performance determinants. Journal of Applied Psychology 79 (4): 493–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCrae, R.R., and P.T. Costa. 1997. Personality trait structure as a human universal. American Psychologist 52: 509–516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, R.M. 2007. A caution regarding rules of thumb for variance inflation factors. Quality & Quantity 41 (5): 673–690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, B., and G.M. McEvoy. 1993. Initial examination of a model of intercultural adjustment. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 17: 355–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, P.H. 1970. Relationships between global and specified measures of novelty-seeking. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 37: 23–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C. 2000. The future of optimism. American Psychologist 55 (1): 44–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C., and M.E. Seligman. 1987. Explanatory style and illness. Journal of Personality 55 (2): 237–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C., and M.E.P. Seligman. 2004. Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York/Washington, DC: Oxford University Press/American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Podsakoff, P., S.B. MacKenzie, J.-Y. Lee, and N. Podsakoff. 2003. Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology 88 (5): 879–903.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiss, S. (2000a). Human individuality, happiness, and flow. American Psychologist 55: 1161–1162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, A.G., and S. Stern. 1997. Corporative creativity how innovation and improvement actually happen. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Román, S., and D. Iacobucci. 2010. Antecedents and consequences of adaptive selling confidence and behavior: A dyadic analysis of salespeople and their customers. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 38 (3): 363–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, R.C., S.S. Ramalu, J. Uli, and N. Kumar. 2010. Expatriate performance in international assignments: The role of cultural intelligence as dynamic intercultural competency. International Journal of Business and Management 5 (8): 76–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheier, M.F., and C.S. Carver. 1992. Effects of optimism on psychological and physical well-being: Theoretical overview and empirical update. Cognitive Therapy and Research 16 (2): 201–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheier, M.F., C.S. Carver, and M.W. Bridges. 1994. Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): A re-evaluation of the Life Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 67: 1063–1078.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2001. Optimism, pessimism, and psychological well-being. In Optimism and pessimism: Implications for theory, research, and practice, ed. E.C. Chang, 189–216. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheier, M.F., J.K. Weintraub, and C.S. Carver. 1986. Coping with stress: Divergent strategies of optimists and pessimists. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 51 (6): 1257–1264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzer, R. 1994. Optimism. Vulnerability, and self-beliefs as health-related cognitions: A systematic overview. Psychology and Health: An International Journal 9 (3): 161–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzer, R., and A. Born. 1997. Optimistic self-beliefs: Assessment of general perceived self-efficacy in thirteen cultures. World Psychology 3 (1–2): 177–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzer, R., and M. Jerusalem. 1995. Generalized self-efficacy scale. In Measures in health psychology: A user’s portfolio. Causal and control beliefs, ed. J. Weinman, S. Wright, and M. Johnston, 35–37. Windsor: Nfer-Nelson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzer, R., J. Bäßler, P. Kwiatek, K. Schröder, and J.X. Zhang. 1997. The assessment of optimistic self-beliefs: Comparison of the German, Spanish, and Chinese versions of the General Self-efficacy Scale. Applied Psychology: An International Review 46 (1): 69–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M.E.P. 1998. Positive social science. APA monitor 29 (4): 2–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2002. Positive psychology, positive prevention and positive therapy. In Handbook of positive psychology, ed. C.R. Snyder and S.J. López, 3–9. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M., and M. Csikszentmihalyi. 2000. Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist 55: 5–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, M.A., D.A. Harrison, and K.M. Gilley. 1999. Dimensions, determinants, and differences in the expatriate adjustment process. Journal of International Business Studies 30: 557–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, M.A., D.A. Harrison, H. Gregersen, J.S. Black, and L.A. Ferzandi. 2006. You can take it with you: Individual differences and expatriate effectiveness. Journal of Applied Psychology 91: 109–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shatte, A.J., K. Reivich, and M.E.P. Seligman. 2000. Promoting human strengths and corporate competencies. Psychologist 4 (2): 183–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silvia, P.J. 2008. Appraisal components and emotion traits: Examining the appraisal basis of trait curiosity. Cognition and Emotion 22 (1): 94–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spector, P.E. 1994. Using self-report questionnaires in OB research: A comment on the use of a controversial method. Journal of Organizational Behavior 15: 385–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C.D., and L.M. Starr. 1994. Curiosity and exploratory behavior. In Motivation: Theory and research, ed. H.F. O’Neil Jr. and M. Drillings, 221–243. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivas, K.M. 1995. Globalization of business and the third world: Challenge of expanding the mindsets. Journal of Management Development 14 (3): 26–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stajkovic, A.D., and F. Luthans. 1998. Self-efficacy and work related performance: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin 124: 240–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suutari, V., C. Brewster, K. Riusala, and S. Syrjäkari. 2013. Managing non-standard international experience: Evidence from a Finnish company. Journal of Global Mobility 1 (2): 118–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomkins, S.S. 1962. Affect, imagery, consciousness. Vol. I. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 1963. Affect, imagery, consciousness. Vol. II. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulanova, A. 2014. Norwegian expatriates in the U.S.: What skills are important for successful adjustment? Masteroppgave, University of Stavanger, Norway. http://hdl.handle.net/11250/221291

  • Vautier, S., E. Raufaste, and M. Cariou. 2003. Dimensionality of the revised life orientation test and the status of the filler items. International Journal of Psychology 38: 390–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viswesvaran, C., D.S. Ones, and F.L. Schmidt. 1996. Comparative analysis of the reliability of job performance ratings. Journal of Applied Psychology 81 (5): 557–574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viswesvaran, C., and D.S. Ones. 1999. Meta-analyses of fakability estimates: Implications for personality measurement. Educational and Psychological Measurement 59: 197–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voss, H.-G., and H. Keller. 1983. Curiosity and exploration: Theories and results. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, C., and A. Kennedy. 1993. Psychological and socio-cultural adjustment during cross-cultural transitions: A comparison of secondary students overseas and at home. International Journal of Psychology 28: 129–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R.E., and A. Bandura. 1989. Social cognitive theory of organizational management. Academy of Management Review 14: 361–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wooldridge, J.M. 2009. Introductory econometrics: A modern approach. Mason: South-Western CENGAGE Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, T.A. 2007. A look at two methodological challenges for scholars interesting in positive organizational behavior. In Positive organizational behavior, ed. D.L. Nelson and C.L. Cooper, 177–190. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Yamazaki, Y., and D.C. Kayes. 2004. An experiential approach to cross-cultural learning: A review and integration of competencies for successful expatriate adaptation. Academy of Management Learning and Education 3 (4): 362–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M., E.A. Kolin, L. Price, and I. Zoob. 1964. Development of a sensation seeking scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 28: 477–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M. 1983. The distinction between trait and state scales is not arbitrary: Comment on Allen and Potkay’s “On the arbitrary distinction between traits and states”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 44 (5): 1083–1086.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Libens Research and Development, Santiago, Chile

    Leonardo Liberman

  2. Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile

    David Kimber C. & Javier Pinto Garay

Authors
  1. Leonardo Liberman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David Kimber C.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Javier Pinto Garay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of International Business, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    William Newburry

  2. Libens Research and Development, Santiago, Chile

    Leonardo Liberman

  3. Business Administration Department, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Moacir de Miranda Oliveira Jr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Liberman, L., Kimber C., D., Pinto Garay, J. (2019). Examining the Influence of Self-Efficacy, Optimism and Curiosity on the Performance of International Locals. In: Newburry, W., Liberman, L., Oliveira Jr., M. (eds) Contemporary Influences on International Business in Latin America. AIB Latin America. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98340-0_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation