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@article{189453,
        author = {Dr Abinayaa M},
        title = {Social Support and Cultural Competence Among Expatriates: An Exploratory Study},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {7},
        pages = {5696-5699},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=189453},
        abstract = {Expatriation poses unique psychosocial challenges, including cultural adjustment and isolation, yet the interplay between social support networks and cultural competence remains underexplored. This study examines the impact of social support on cultural competence among expatriates, with a specific focus on the types of support, including emotional, instrumental, and informational support. A non-probability convenience sample of 100 expatriates residing in diverse international locations participated in the study. Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire comprising validated scales measuring perceived social support and cultural competence. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were employed to examine the associations between two variables. Findings indicate a statistically significant positive relationship between overall social support and cultural competence, with support from significant others demonstrating the strongest predictive power. The results suggest a significant correlation between social support and cultural competence. The study contributes to the limited empirical literature on expatriate adaptation by highlighting the interplay between psychosocial factors and intercultural capabilities, offering practical implications for multinational organisations in designing support programs and selection criteria for international assignments.},
        keywords = {social support, cultural competence, expatriate, psychosocial support},
        month = {December},
        }