Impact of Cross-Cultural Competencies on Work Performance - Mediating Role of Cross-Cultural Adjustment

Abstract

 The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of cross-cultural adjustment in the relationship between cross-cultural competencies and the work performance of managers employed in the textile industries of Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, India. In the context of increasing workforce diversity, managers in Tirupur’s textile sector are required to supervise employees drawn from different cultural backgrounds, including Tamil Nadu, North India, and the North-Eastern states of India. This diversity creates both opportunities and managerial challenges, making cross-cultural competence a critical factor for organizational effectiveness. The study adopts a quantitative research design and uses a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from 264 managers. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select respondents from the target population. The findings reveal that cross-cultural competencies have a significant positive direct effect on managers’ work performance. In addition, cross-cultural competencies also exert a significant indirect positive effect on work performance through cross-cultural adjustment, confirming its mediating role. The results suggest that managers who possess stronger cross-cultural skills are better able to adjust to diverse workplace environments, thereby improving their effectiveness and overall performance. The study concludes that strengthening cross-cultural competencies can enhance managerial adjustment and contribute substantially to better work outcomes in Tirupur’s multicultural textile industry.