An Examination of the Relationship between Cultural Intelligence, Communication Effectiveness, and Cross-Cultural Adaptation from the Perspective of Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory

Abstract

Against the macro-level backdrop of high-standard opening up and the continued advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, intercultural adaptation competence has become a core factor determining the quality of international talent development and the efficiency of transnational collaboration. However, when addressing cultural conflicts and communication barriers in foreign cultural environments, existing studies often lack an integrated multivariable perspective in examining the internal mechanisms of intercultural adaptation, and there remains an urgent need for empirical evidence based on intercultural groups in the Chinese context. Accordingly, with the integrated theory of intercultural adaptation as its core framework, this study focuses on motivational cultural intelligence and behavioral cultural intelligence, which are most closely associated with real-life interactive contexts, and systematically explores their functional logic in relation to intercultural communication effectiveness and intercultural adaptation. In terms of research design, this study adopts a quantitative analytical paradigm and takes Chinese returnees who have long been exposed to real intercultural interaction contexts as the survey population. Through random sampling, the research team conducted a questionnaire survey in five provinces. After rigorous data cleaning and logical screening, 443 valid samples were ultimately obtained. Using statistical analysis tools such as reliability and validity tests and structural equation modeling, this study rigorously verifies the direct and mediating effects among the core variables. The empirical results indicate that, first, both motivational cultural intelligence and behavioral cultural intelligence exert significant positive direct effects on intercultural adaptation and intercultural communication effectiveness. Second, intercultural communication effectiveness not only directly promotes individuals’ intercultural adaptation but also plays a significant mediating role between motivational cultural intelligence, behavioral cultural intelligence, and intercultural adaptation. The study further confirms that individuals’ internal motivation and behavioral regulation capacity can effectively build trust, reduce cultural misunderstandings, and thereby substantially improve adaptation only when they are transformed into smooth, accurate interactions that conform to local contextual norms. By incorporating cultural intelligence, communication quality, and adaptation outcomes into a unified analytical framework, this study effectively extends the explanatory boundaries of the integrated theory of intercultural adaptation in terms of mechanism analysis. The findings not only clarify the transmission pathways of adaptation in foreign cultural environments but also provide clear practical guidance and empirical support for the cultivation of international talent in Chinese universities, employee training in multinational enterprises, and the development of foreign-related service capabilities.