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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
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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 

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