Behavioural, attitudinal, cognitive, and personality traits factors have been
recognized as the main determinants of intercultural effectiveness. This paper
argues for the need to recognize that expatriates having similar behavioural,
attitudinal, cognitive, and traits characteristics may vary significantly in their
intercultural effectiveness. This is because some expatriates may be effective
or ineffective by chance or birth (ascribed rather than achieved). Therefore,
the expatriate's 'socio-biographical' background such as his/her ethnicity, age,
nationality, educational qualification, profession (role) and religion is noted
as among the most significant factors that can influence intercultural effect
iveness. It is argued that these variables deserve serious attention given that
the national and ethnic backgrounds of expatriates are very diverse. The
implications of the 'socio-biograpbical' factor on expatriate management is
also discussed.
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