Innovation Communication in Multicultural Networks: Deficits in Inter-Cultural Capability and Affect-Based Trust as Barriers to New Idea Sharing in Inter-Cultural Relationships

21 Pages Posted: 14 May 2009

See all articles by Roy Y. J. Chua

Roy Y. J. Chua

Harvard Business School, Organizational Behavior Unit

Michael Morris

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management

Date Written: May 13, 2009

Abstract

Innovative solutions to pressing global problems require effective inter-cultural communication. We propose that a barrier to the sharing of ideas pertinent to innovation in inter-cultural relationships is low affect-based trust, which arise from individuals’ deficits in inter-cultural capability. Results from a study of sample of executives’ professional networks indicate that individuals lower in inter-cultural capability are less likely to share new ideas in inter-cultural ties but not intra-cultural ties. This effect is mediated by tie-level affect-based trust but not cognition-based trust. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords: Idea Sharing, Trust, Multicultural Networks, Inter-cultural Capability

Suggested Citation

Chua, Roy Y. J. and Morris, Michael W., Innovation Communication in Multicultural Networks: Deficits in Inter-Cultural Capability and Affect-Based Trust as Barriers to New Idea Sharing in Inter-Cultural Relationships (May 13, 2009). Harvard Business School Organizational Behavior Unit Working Paper No. 09-130, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1403944 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1403944

Roy Y. J. Chua (Contact Author)

Harvard Business School, Organizational Behavior Unit ( email )

Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
United States

Michael W. Morris

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management ( email )

3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States
212-854-2296 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.michaelwmorris.com

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
313
Abstract Views
1,745
Rank
176,750
PlumX Metrics