Cultural Intelligence in Swedish companies : A qualitative study of the cultural intelligence validity

Abstract: The global exchange of goods has in recent years made cultural intelligence an important success factor conducting business over cross-cultural boundaries. Due to lack of cultural competence, several mistakes in international business have been made. Previously studies of cultural intelligence have been carried out in controlled settings and not in day-to-day life. Further, authors for these studies point out that more empirical studies need to be carried out in the subject and in an uncontrolled environment.The purpose of this study is to find out what criteria are important and successful for Swedish professional sellers and buyers when they are conducting international negotiations. If possible, these criteria will then relate to the relevant capabilities of CQ to add validity to the concept. Furthermore, the study also aims to answer if the criteria mentioned by the professionals are applicable with Hofstede's dimensions (Hofstede, 2011) as well as the Context Culture model by Hall (1976). The participants for the study are five individuals from different companies located in Sweden. The participants have previous experience from conducting international business ranging from six to 35 years.The result of this study shows that cultural intelligence is beneficial when it comes to conducting international negotiation. This is presented in the form of important criteria from the respondents, these criteria are explained through the respondent’s own words and then reinterpreted by the authors using theoretical concepts, an example of this is Preparation. Further, the findings present validity to some of the conceptual benefits that previously lacked empirical validity such as collaboration and decision making.