Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaboration

Cultural intelligence (CQ) is becoming increasingly recognized as a vital skill in the contemporary globalized context, particularly within the domain of higher education. This study examines the impact of CQ on society, with a particular focus on its importance in promoting inclusion and global col...

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Main Author: Marina Sousa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Societal Impacts
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949697725000141
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author Marina Sousa
author_facet Marina Sousa
author_sort Marina Sousa
collection DOAJ
description Cultural intelligence (CQ) is becoming increasingly recognized as a vital skill in the contemporary globalized context, particularly within the domain of higher education. This study examines the impact of CQ on society, with a particular focus on its importance in promoting inclusion and global collaboration. A quantitative approach was employed in the study, which applied the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) to 445 participants, comprising students and teachers, with the objective of assessing the four dimensions of CQ: metacognitive, cognitive, motivational and behavioral. The findings indicated that the participants exhibited high levels of CQ, particularly in the motivational, metacognitive, and behavioral dimensions. However, they demonstrated lower performance in the cognitive dimension. The results demonstrated a significant correlation between international experience, cultural exposure and language fluency and higher levels of CQ. The study emphasizes the pivotal role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in fostering CQ through targeted programs and intercultural experiences, equipping students with the skills to navigate a globalized world. The implications extend from the development of multicultural curricula to the formulation of public policies that promote inclusion and diversity, contributing to a more cohesive and peaceful society – a more culturally intelligent society.
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spelling doaj-art-fdfe0653e8484967a47222b13fe904292025-08-20T02:15:15ZengElsevierSocietal Impacts2949-69772025-06-01510011510.1016/j.socimp.2025.100115Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaborationMarina Sousa0Polytechnic Institute of Porto, School of Engineering, Department of Management and Organization, PortugalCultural intelligence (CQ) is becoming increasingly recognized as a vital skill in the contemporary globalized context, particularly within the domain of higher education. This study examines the impact of CQ on society, with a particular focus on its importance in promoting inclusion and global collaboration. A quantitative approach was employed in the study, which applied the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) to 445 participants, comprising students and teachers, with the objective of assessing the four dimensions of CQ: metacognitive, cognitive, motivational and behavioral. The findings indicated that the participants exhibited high levels of CQ, particularly in the motivational, metacognitive, and behavioral dimensions. However, they demonstrated lower performance in the cognitive dimension. The results demonstrated a significant correlation between international experience, cultural exposure and language fluency and higher levels of CQ. The study emphasizes the pivotal role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in fostering CQ through targeted programs and intercultural experiences, equipping students with the skills to navigate a globalized world. The implications extend from the development of multicultural curricula to the formulation of public policies that promote inclusion and diversity, contributing to a more cohesive and peaceful society – a more culturally intelligent society.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949697725000141Cultural intelligenceHigher educationInternational experienceCultural exposure
spellingShingle Marina Sousa
Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaboration
Societal Impacts
Cultural intelligence
Higher education
International experience
Cultural exposure
title Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaboration
title_full Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaboration
title_fullStr Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaboration
title_full_unstemmed Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaboration
title_short Cultural intelligence in higher education: Promoting inclusion and global collaboration
title_sort cultural intelligence in higher education promoting inclusion and global collaboration
topic Cultural intelligence
Higher education
International experience
Cultural exposure
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949697725000141
work_keys_str_mv AT marinasousa culturalintelligenceinhighereducationpromotinginclusionandglobalcollaboration