Developing Cultural Intelligence (CQ)
as a
Core Competency of the
Adult Learner
Dr. Sandra Upton
Cornerstone University
Cultural Intelligence Center
MSU International Business Institute
Community College Faculty Conference
May 2013
Talking Points
 Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Defined
 Research Context
 CQ and Adult Learner
 Developing the CQ of the Adult Learner - MBA
Program Global Studies Experience (GSE)
Why Care?
Profile of US Population
2010
% Whole
2050
% Whole
Non-Hispanic White
201,235
64%
206,118
45%
Hispanic
50, 918
16%
143,527
31%
Black
40,105
13%
58,678
13%
Asian
14,922
5%
38, 358
8%
American Indian
3,206
1%
5,624
1%
Native Hawaiian
601
1%
1,303
1%
Total Population
312,504
100%
458,176
100%
CQ and Higher Education
 Labor Gap: By 2018 US will be 3
million degree-holders short of the
employees needed for workforce.
 Present number of traditional-aged
college graduates insufficient to
replace retiring baby boomers w/
college degrees.
 American Graduation Initiative
(2020 Vision): 6o percent of adults
with college degrees by 2020
Source: US Department of Education, National Center for
Education Statistics
CQ and Business
Price Waterhouse CEO Study

Managing and developing a globally astute workforce is
#1 on the agenda of the majority of CEO’s surveyed.

Skilled employees with an ability to work effectively in
multiple cultures is as valuable to a CEO as the
employee’s technical expertise.
 90% of leading executives from 68 countries said finding
effective cross-cultural personnel is their top management
challenge. - Economist Intelligence Unit
MYTHS
 International
Experience=Cultural
Competence
 Technical Competence =
Success
 High EQ=High CQ
Cultural Intelligence (CQ)
The capability to function and
manage effectively in culturally
diverse situations
Research Question
What is the difference between
individuals and organizations that
succeed in a multicultural globalized
context and those who fail?
Four Capabilities
CQ Drive
CQ
Knowledge
CQ Action
CQ
Strategy
CQ Four Capabilities
CQ Drive
CQ
Knowledge
CQ Strategy
CQ Action
• Your level of interest, drive and confidence
to adapt to multicultural situations
• Your level of understanding about how
cultures are similar and different
• Your level of awareness and ability to plan
for multicultural interactions
• Your level of adaptability when relating and
working interculturally
Defining Points of CQ

Form of Intelligence

Applies to cultural context
both domestically and
internationally

Malleable

Evidenced-based
Bottom Line Results
Bottom Line Results
Bottom Line Results
Best Practices
Cultural Competency as a Core Institutional
Value and Educational Goal
Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS)
Division
 Long-term efforts
Cornerstone
 University-wide educational goal
Post-trip Assessment
MBA Program
CQ Curriculum Design
CQ Development Plan
Global Studies Experience
Pre-Trip CQ Assessment
Books and Articles
Courses
MGT 531 and MGT 509
The CQ Project
Study
A study to assess the impact of the GSE on the
adult learner’s cultural intelligence quotient
Hypothesis
A positive relationship may exist between
exposing adult learners to short-term, intense
global experiences and an increase in their
individual level of cultural intelligence
Our Research
 Global experiences – China, Europe, India, Israel,
South Africa
 One-hundred seventy-eight (n=178) students
assessed
 All GSE students showed a moderate to moderate or
moderate to high increase in their level of CQ
CQ Action
CQ Strategy
Post - Assessment
Pre-Assessment
CQ Knowledge
CQ Drive
0
20
40
60
80
100
China GSE
Average Scores
Percent Change
World Wide Norms
CQ Drive
74 - 85
+15%
Moderate to
Moderate
CQ Knowledge
45 – 67
+49%
Moderate to
Moderate
CQ Strategy
63 – 81
+29%
Moderate to High
CQ Action
57 - 75
+32%
Moderate to
Moderate
CQ Action
CQ Strategy
Post Assessment
Pre-Assessment
CQ Knowledge
CQ Drive
0
20
40
60
80
100
Europe GSE
Average Scores
Percent Change
World Wide
Norms
CQ Drive
77 – 88
+14%
Moderate to
High
CQ Knowledge
54 – 74
+37%
Moderate to
High
CQ Strategy
74 – 88
+19%
Moderate to
High
CQ Action
67 – 86
+28%
Moderate to
High
CQ Action
CQ Strategy
Post Assessment
Pre-Assessment
CQ Knowledge
CQ Drive
0
20
40
60
80
100
South Africa GSE
Average Scores
Percent Change
World Wide
Norms
CQ Drive
77 – 88
+14%
Moderate to
High
CQ Knowledge
54 – 74
+37%
Moderate to
High
CQ Strategy
74 – 88
+19%
Moderate to
High
CQ Action
67 – 86
+28%
Moderate to
High
CQ Action
CQ Strategy
Post Assessment
Pre-Assessment
CQ Knowledge
CQ Drive
0
20
40
60
80
100
Israel GSE
Average Scores
Percent Change
World Wide
Norms
CQ Drive
77 – 88
+14%
Moderate to
High
CQ Knowledge
54 – 74
+37%
Moderate to
High
CQ Strategy
74 – 88
+19%
Moderate to
High
CQ Action
67 – 86
+28%
Moderate to
High
End of the Day…
Active Engagement + Thoughtful Reflection = High CQ
“What’s most important is some thoughtful anticipation
about the cross-cultural experience and how to learn from
it” - Dr. David Livermore