Cultural Intelligence: A Core Competence Of Knowmads In Multicultural Business Environment

This article explores and constructs the concept of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) as the primary form of intelligence among knowmads. The study aims to investigate and understand the relationships between individuals' perception of their intelligence, their view of intelligence that best reflects knowmads, and their aspiration to become knowmads. The research questions are addressed by integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, including VOSviewer, SPSS, and PLS-SEM analyses. The statistical evaluation was derived from a questionnaire survey that yielded 309 valid replies. The findings of this study indicate that among the leading three forms of intelligence (Intellectual Quotient: IQ, Emotional intelligence: EQ, and CQ), IQ is the most relevant, utilized, and referred to form, followed by EQ in second place, and CQ in third position, as revealed by the VOSviewer and SPSS analysis. Moreover, knowledge dynamics have been identified as a significant catalyst and enabler of these intelligence concepts. However, when explicitly focusing on knowmads, CQ emerges as their main intelligence, followed by EQ, and then IQ, reinforcing the findings from the VOSviewer analysis. The alignment between intelligence types and knowmads is further supported by statistical analysis using SPSS. Respondents predominantly identified cultural intelligence as the dominant intelligence type among knowmads, supporting the hypothesis that Cultural Intelligence is highly valued in navigating diverse cultural landscapes. Analyzing the answers from the self-identified knowmads revealed exciting insights. While 47.5% of the knowmads positioned IQ as their main intelligence form, 37.5% identified CQ, and 15% mentioned EQ. However, when estimating the intelligence forms that best describe knowmads overall, the respondents prioritized CQ (65%), followed by EQ (22.5%), and IQ (12.5%). This suggests that societal biases and the emphasis on IQ may explain the discrepancy between self-perception and the perception of knowmads' intelligence. Our further analysis using SmartPLS demonstrates a mildly positive relationship between individuals' perception of their own intelligence and their aspiration to become knowmads. However, the relationship is not statistically significant, indicating that self-perceived intelligence is not a decisive factor in driving this aspiration. In contrast, the perception of the intelligence that best describes knowmads (CQ, EQ, or IQ) shows a stronger and statistically significant relationship with the dream of becoming a knowmad. In conclusion, Cultural Intelligence is the main intelligence among knowmads, followed by EQ and IQ. The perception of intelligence characteristics associated with knowmads plays a crucial role in shaping individuals' aspirations to embrace a knowmad lifestyle. This study highlights the significance of CQ in developing multicultural leadership skills and meeting the next generation's expectations, emphasizing work-life balance. Future research will explore the practical implications of these findings in preparing individuals for knowmadic and knowledge-based living and working new patterns.