Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T15:09:20.753Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Predictors of acculturation attitudes among professional Chinese immigrants in the Australian workplace

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 June 2015

Ying Lu ,
Ramanie Samaratunge  and
Charmine E J Härtel
Ying Lu*
Affiliation:
Department of Marketing and Management, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Ramanie Samaratunge
Affiliation:
Department of Management, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Charmine E J Härtel
Affiliation:
Business School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
*
Corresponding author: candy.lu@mq.edu.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Professional Chinese immigrants (PCIs) are expected to substantially contribute to the relief of skills shortage and the bolstering of Australia’s economic and social development. However, they have encountered many adjustment difficulties arising from cultural and social differences after entering into the Australian workplace. There is a dearth of research to shed light on the adaptation of PCIs in Australia. To bridge this gap, this paper investigates PCIs’ acculturation preference and explores the predictors of each acculturation attitude. Our survey of a sample of 220 PCIs revealed that PCIs have a predominant preference to maintain their home culture, whereas logistic regressions revealed that length of residence in the host country, English proficiency, perceived social support at work and interdependent self-construal could predict the acculturation choices among PCIs. This study provides valuable information for managers and organizations in developing effective acculturation programs to assist immigrant employees with adaptation to a new workplace.

Keywords

acculturationAustraliaChinese immigrantsprofessionalsworkplace
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 49 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abe-Kim, J., Okazaki, S., & Goto, S. G. (2001). Unidimensional versus multidimensional approaches to the assessment of acculturation for Asian American populations. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 7(3), 232–246.Google Scholar
ABS. (1997). Australian standard classification of occupations (2nd ed.). Canberra: ABS. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/1220.0.Google Scholar
ABS. (2006). Census tables. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/census+data?opendocument#from-banner=LN.Google Scholar
ABS. (2007). Australian social trends 2007. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.Google Scholar
ABS. (2012). 2011 census reveals one in four Australians is born overseas. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/CO-59?opendocument&navpos=620.Google Scholar
Ayoko, O. B., Härtel, C. E. J., & Callan, V. J. (2002). Resolving the puzzle of productive and destructive conflict in culturally heterogeneous workgroups: A communication accommodation theory approach. International Journal of Conflict Management, 13(2), 165–196.Google Scholar
Bakker, W., van der Zee, K., & Van Qudenhoven, J. P. (2006). Personality and Dutch emigrants' reactions to acculturation strategies. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36(12), 2864–2891.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barry, D. T. (2000). East Asians in America: Relationships between ethnic identity, self-construal, mental health, and acculturation patterns in East Asian immigrants in the United States. Doctoral dissertation. The University of Toledo, Toledo.Google Scholar
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 46(1), 5–68.Google Scholar
Berry, J. W. (2003). Conceptual approaches to acculturation. In K. Chun, P. B. Organista, & G. Marín (Eds.), Acculturation: Advances in theory, measurement, and applied research (1st ed., pp. 17–37). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.Google Scholar
Berry, J. W., Kim, U., Power, S., Young, M., & Bujaki, M. (1989). Acculturation attitudes in plural societies. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 38(2), 185–205.Google Scholar
Chirkov, V. (2009). Ciritical psychology of acculturation: What do we study and how do we study it, when we investigate acculturation? International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 33(2), 94–105.Google Scholar
Choi, J., & Thomas, M. (2009). Predictive factors of acculturation attitudes and social support among Asian immigrants in the USA. International Journal of Social Welfare, 18(1), 76–84.Google Scholar
Cooke, F. L., Zhang, J., & Wang, J. (2013). Chinese professional immigrants in Australia: A gendered pattern in (re)building their careers. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 24(13), 2628–2645.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). (2008). Population flows: Immigration aspects 2006-07. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.Google Scholar
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). (2009). Population flows: Immigration aspects 2007–08. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.Google Scholar
Dinsbach, W. (2005). Socialization in the workplace: A focus on migrant groups. PhD doctoral dissertation. VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Germain, E. R. (2005). Racial and cultural identity development, attitudes to acculturation strategies, and national identity among minority culture Australian adolescen ts. PhD dissertation. Townsville, Australia: James Cook University.Google Scholar
Gong, F., Takeuchi, D. T., Agbayani-Siewert, P., & Tacata, L. (2003). Acculturation, psychological distress, and alcohol use: Investigating the effects of ethnic identity and religiosity. In K. Chun, P. B. Organista, & G. Marín (Eds.), Acculturation: advances in theory, measurement, and applied research (pp. 189–206). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Govindasamy, S., & Nambiar, M. (2003). Social networks: Applicability to minority communities in multilingual settings. International Journal of Sociology of Language, 161(1), 25–45.Google Scholar
Hardin, E. E., & Leong, F. T. L. (2004). Factor structure of the self-construal scale revisited: Implications for the multidimensionality of self-construal. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 35(3), 327–345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Härtel, C. E. J., & Panipucci, D. (2005). Emotional game playing and poor team norms: The implications for work teams. In L. Neider & C. A. Schriesheim (Eds.), Understanding teams, (Vol. 4, pp. 133–144). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Pub.Google Scholar
Heckathorn, D. D. (1997). Respondent-driven sampling: A new approach to the study of hidden populations. Social Problems, 44(2), 174–199.Google Scholar
Hugo, G. (2007). Recent trends in Chinese migration to Australia. Paper presented at the Centenary Forum of Fujian Normal University, 27 May 2007, Fuzhou.Google Scholar
Ip, D., Wu, C.-T., & Inglis, C. (1998). Settlement experiences of Taiwanese immigrants in Australia. Asian Studies Review, 22(1), 79–97.Google Scholar
Kateri, E. & Karademas, E. (2009, 8 July). The influence of self-construal on acculturation of Indian and Albanian immigrants in Greece, Paper presented at the 11th European Congress of Psychology, Oslo, Norway.Google Scholar
Kim, U. (1988). Acculturation and cultural identity questionnaire. Incheon, South Korea: College of Business Administration, Inha University.Google Scholar
Kim, U., Helgesen, G., & Ahn, B. M. (2002). Democracy, trust, and political efficacy: Comparative analysis of Danish and Korean political culture. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 51(2), 318–353.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kosic, A., Mannetti, L., & Sam, D. L. (2005). The role of majority attitudes towards out-group in the perception of the acculturation strategies of immigrants. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(3), 273–288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kuo, B. C. H., & Roysircar, G. (2004). Predictors of acculturation for Chinese adolescents in Canada: Age of arrival, length of stay, social class, and English reading ability. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 32(3), 143–154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lidgard, J. M. (1996). East Asian migration of Aotearoa/New Zealand: Perspectives of some new arrivals. Hamilton: University of Waikato, Population Studies Centre.Google Scholar
Liem, R., Lim, B., & Liem, J. H. (2002). Acculturation and emotion among Asian Americans. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 6(1), 13–31.Google Scholar
Lu, Y., Samaratunge, R., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2010). Acculturation strategy and its impact on job satisfaction: The case of professional Chinese immigrants in the Australian workplace. Paper presented at the 24th Annual Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference, 8 December 2010, Adelaide.Google Scholar
Lu, Y., Samaratunge, R., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2011a). Acculturation attitudes and affective workgroup commitment among professional Chinese immigrants in the Australian workplace. Paper presented at the Australia and New Zealand International Business Academy Annual Conference, 29 April 2011, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Lu, Y., Samaratunge, R., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2011b). Acculturation attitudes and its effect on work engagement: A case of professional Chinese immigrants in Australia. Paper presented at the 2011 2nd International Conference on Education and Management Technology, 20 August 2011, Shanghai.Google Scholar
Lu, Y., Samaratunge, R., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2011c). Acculturation strategies among professional Chinese immigrants in the Australian workplace. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 49(1), 71–87.Google Scholar
Lu, Y., Samaratunge, R., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2012). The relationship between acculturation strategy and job satisfaction for professional Chinese immigrants in the Australian workplace. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 36(5), 669–681.Google Scholar
Lu, Y., Samaratunge, R., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2013). Acculturation attitudes and affective workgroup commitment: Evidence from professional Chinese immigrants in the Australian workplace. Asian Ethnicity, 14(2), 206–228.Google Scholar
Luijters, K., van der Zee, K. I., & Otten, S. (2006). Acculturation strategies among ethnic minority workers and the role of international personality traits. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 9(4), 561–575.Google Scholar
Lundy, K. (2008). Acknowledgements. Retrieved from http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/parlsec/media/speeches/2008/lf080408.htm.Google Scholar
Mahmud, S., Alam, Q., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2008). Skill shortage and underutilization of educated immigrants in the Australian labour market: A paradox. European Journal of Management, 8(2), 155–167.Google Scholar
Mak, W. W. S., Law, R. W., & Teng, Y. (2011). Cultural model of vulnerability to distress: The role of self-construal and sociotropy on anxiety and depression among Asian Americans and European Americans. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42(1), 75–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253.Google Scholar
McIntyre, N. (2008). Ethnic minority migrant Chinese in New Zealand: A study into their acculturation and workplace interpersonal conflict experiences. Master dissertation. Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University of Technology.Google Scholar
Milner, K., & Khawaja, N. G. (2010). Sudanese refugees in Australia the impact of acculturation stress. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 4(1), 19–29.Google Scholar
Miranda, A. O., & Matheny, K. B. (2000). Socio-psychological predictors of acculturative stress among Latino adults. Journal of Mental Health Counselling, 22(4), 306–317.Google Scholar
Navas, M., García, M. C., Sánchez, J., Rojas, A. J., Pumares, P., & Fernández, J. S. (2005). Relative Acculturation Extended Model (RAEM): New contributions with regard to the study of acculturation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(1), 67–86.Google Scholar
Navas, M., Rojas, A. J., García, M., & Pumares, P. (2007). Acculturation strategies and attitudes according to the Relative Acculturation Extended Model (RAEM): The perspectives of natives versus immigrants. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 31(1), 67–86.Google Scholar
Neto, F., Barros, J., & Schmitz, P. G. (2005). Acculturation attitudes and adaptation among Portuguese Immigrants in Germany: Integration and separation. Psychology and Developing Societies, 17(1), 19–32.Google Scholar
Ng, T. W. H. (2008). Toward a further understanding of the relationships between perceptions of support and work attitudes. Group & Organization Management, 33(3), 243–268.Google Scholar
Noels, K. A., & Clément, R. (1996). Communicating across cultures: Social determinants and acculturative health. Canadian Jounral of Behavioral Science, 28(3), 214–228.Google Scholar
Noh, S., & Kaspar, V. (2003). Perceived discrimination and depression: Moderating effects of coping, acculturation, and ethnic support. American Journal of Public Health, 93(2), 232–238.Google Scholar
Oerlemans, W. G. M., Peeters, M. C. W., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2008). Ethnic diversity at work: An overview of theories and research. In K. Näswall, J. Hellgren, & M. Sverke (Eds.), The individual in the changing working life (pp. 211–232). Cambridge, UK; New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oh, Y., Koeske, G. F., & Sales, E. (2002). Acculturation, stress, and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants in the United States. Journal of Social Psychology, 142(4), 511–526.Google Scholar
Padilla, A. M., & Perez, W. (2003). Acculturation, social identity, and social cognition: A new perspective. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 25(1), 35–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Remennick, L. (2003). What does integration mean? Social insertion of Russian immigrants in Israel. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 4(1), 23–49.Google Scholar
Rudd, K., Swan, W., Smith, S., & Wong, P. (2007). Skilling Australia for the future: Election 2007, November. Retrieved from http://www.mskills.com.au/DownloadManager/Downloads/ALP%20Skills%20policy.pdf.Google Scholar
Salganik, M. J., & Heckathorn, D. D. (2004). Sampling and estimation in hidden populations using respondent-driven sampling. Sociological Methodology, 34, 193–239.Google Scholar
Shim, Y. R., & Schwartz, R. C. (2007). The relationship between degree of acculturation and adjustment difficulties among Korean immigrants living in a Western society. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 35(4), 409–426.Google Scholar
Singelis, T. M. (1994). The measurement of independent and interdependent self-construals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 20(5), 580–591.Google Scholar
Singelis, T. M., & Brown, W. J. (1995). Culture, self, and collectivist communication: Linking culture to individual behavior.pdf. Human Communication Research, 21(3), 354–389.Google Scholar
Stewart, M. M., & Johnson, O. E. (2009). Leader-member exchange as a moderator of the relationship between work group diversity and team performance. Group & Organization Management, 34(5), 507–535.Google Scholar
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.Google Scholar
Tata, S. P., & Leong, F. T. L. (1994). Individualism-collectivism, social-network orientation, and acculturation as predictors of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Chinese americans. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 41(3), 280–287.Google Scholar
Tran, L. N. (2009). An acculturation dilemma for Asian international students in Australia: The case of Vietnamese international students. Paper presented at the 20th ISANA International Education Association Conference, Canberra.Google Scholar
Trueba, E. T. (2004). The new Americans: Immigrants and transnational at work. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc.Google Scholar
van Oudenhoven, J. P., Prins, K. S., & Buunk, B. (1998). Attitudes of minority and majority members towards adaptation of immigrants. European Journal of Social Psychology, 28(6), 995–1013.Google Scholar
Wang, X. (2001). Expatriate social network, psychological well-being, and performance: a theoretical examination and an empirical test. (doctoral dissertation), McGill University, Montreal.Google Scholar
Wang, W. H. (2009). Chinese international students’ cross-cultural adjustment in the U.S.: The roles of acculturation strategies, self-construals, perceived cultural distance, and English self-confidence. Doctoral dissertation. The University of Texas at Austin, Austin.Google Scholar
Wang, X., & Sangalang, P. J. (2005). Work adjustment and job satisfaction of Filipino immigrant employees in Canada. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 22(3), 243–254.Google Scholar
Winning, A. (1991). The language of home and the home of language: Pedagogical considerations for ESL practice. PhD doctoral dissertation, University of Alberta, Edmonton.Google Scholar
Wu, T. Y. (2000). Confucian culture as world culture. In H. T. Cheu (Ed.), Confucianism in Chinese culture (pp. 141–156). Selangor: Malaysia Pelanduk Publications.Google Scholar
Yeh, C. J. (2003). Age, acculturation, cultural adjustment, and mental health symptoms of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese immigrant youths. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 9(1), 34–48.Google Scholar
Zakaria, N. (2000). The effects of cross-cultural training on the acculturation process of the global workforce. International Journal of Manpower, 21(6), 492–510.Google Scholar
Zhang, D. (2008). Between two generations: language maintenance and acculturation among Chinese immigrant families, El Paso: LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC.Google Scholar
Zheng, X., & Berry, J. W. (1991). Psychological adaptation of Chinese sojourners in Canada. International Journal of Psychology, 26(4), 451–470.Google Scholar