A Phenomenological Exploration of Intercultural Leadership Experienced by Chinese Expatriates in Thailand

Abstract

The emergence of the stateless corporation and the increasingly interdependencies among theworld’s economies mean that leaders today are constantly exposed to different cultures with differentlifestyles. This has resulted in the recognition of different management and leadership practices and agrowing understanding of the importance of intercultural leadership. This study focused its attentionon the essential meanings of intercultural leadership experiences through the perspective of Chineseexpatriate leaders in Thailand. In investigating the essence of the lived experience, a qualitative researchstrategy was employed, based on the philosophical underpinnings and methods of phenomenology. Theresults are systematically organized into nine themes which are classifi ed into three categories: responseto a new environment, nature of intercultural interaction, and learning to lead. The study contributesto help create a better understanding of intercultural leadership which may help global organizationsthat utilize international assignments, as well as the organizations, educational institutions, and HRDprofessionals who are responsible for career planning programs. It also provides perspectives for actualor potential expatriates to consider.

Keywords : Phenomenological Exploration, Intercultural Leadership, Chinese expatriates