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Intercultural Effectiveness Scale
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About Intercultural Effectiveness Scale
Scale Name
Intercultural Effectiveness Scale
Author Details
Tamra Portalla and Guo-Ming Chen
Translation Availability
Not Sure

Background/Description
The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) was developed to assess individuals’ ability to function effectively in intercultural contexts. In today’s globalized world, intercultural competence is critical for individuals working in diverse environments, whether in multinational corporations, international academic settings, or multicultural social contexts.
The IES focuses on measuring core dimensions of intercultural competence, such as cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, and interpersonal communication. It is designed to help individuals and organizations evaluate and enhance their cross-cultural communication and adaptability skills.
Subscales
- Cognitive Flexibility: Assesses the ability to adapt one’s thinking and behaviors to different cultural norms and values.
- Emotional Resilience: Measures emotional strength and the ability to manage stress and cope with cultural challenges.
- Interpersonal Communication: Focuses on the ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries, understanding non-verbal cues, and maintaining open communication.
- Cultural Awareness: Evaluates understanding of cultural differences and the impact of culture on behavior and decision-making.
- Personal Autonomy: Measures individuals’ sense of self-direction and ability to maintain their core identity while adapting to different cultural settings.
The IES can be used in various contexts, including organizational development, international education, and expatriate preparation. It helps individuals and organizations identify key areas for improving intercultural interactions and facilitates training and development programs to foster greater intercultural competence.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Format: The IES consists of a self-report questionnaire with multiple items rated on a Likert scale (e.g., 1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). It assesses different aspects of intercultural effectiveness through several subscales.
- Respondents: The questionnaire can be administered to individuals who work or interact in multicultural environments. It is suitable for employees, students, expatriates, and professionals in various fields requiring intercultural interactions.
Reliability and Validity
The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale has been validated across diverse cultural groups and has demonstrated strong psychometric properties. The tool shows good reliability in measuring intercultural competencies, making it a trusted tool in research and practical applications. Its consistent results make it suitable for cross-cultural studies and interventions.
Available Versions
20-Items
Reference
Portalla, T., & Chen, G. M. (2010). The development and validation of the intercultural effectiveness scale.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) measure?
It measures intercultural competence, including cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, interpersonal communication, and cultural awareness.
Who can benefit from using the IES?
Professionals, students, expatriates, and anyone who interacts with individuals from different cultures can benefit from the insights provided by the IES.
What are the main components of intercultural competence assessed by the IES?
The IES assesses cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, interpersonal communication, cultural awareness, and personal autonomy.
How is the IES scored?
Scores are provided for each subscale, offering a detailed overview of intercultural competence, with higher scores indicating stronger abilities in specific areas.
In what settings is the IES most commonly used?
The IES is commonly used in international business, higher education, expatriate programs, and cross-cultural training programs.
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