Cultural similarity and expatriate performance in Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between perceived cultural similarity and job performance among expatriates in Malaysia. Drawing from cultural similarity hypothesis, we propose that the perceived cultural similarity between the host and home country is an important boundary condition that determines expatriate job performance. Survey results from 332 expatriates in Malaysia reveals that perceived cultural similarity have a significant influence on expatriate job performance. Specifically, the result of this study reveals that greater cultural similarity is related to greater contextual and assignment-specific performances. The findings of this study have significant contribution to the body of knowledge in the cross-cultural management field as well as practical implication to expatriating firms in the area of selection and training of international expatriates. © Medwell Journals, 2011.