Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41686776›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Digital cultural intelligence and its role in enhancing expatriate work adjustment: A configurational approach in global work environments.

Fatimah Mahdy, Faiz Binzafrah, Osman Elsawy

Expression of concernAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It carries an expression of concern. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Fatimah MahdyHuman Resources Management Department, College of Business, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7122-3127
Faiz BinzafrahHuman Resources Management Department, College of Business, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Osman ElsawyHuman Resources Management Department, College of Business, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study investigates how the digital dimensions of cultural intelligence influence expatriates' work adjustment across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Adopting a neo-configurational perspective, it explores four facets of digital cultural intelligence alongside contextual factors such as perceived organizational support, international experience, language proficiency, and digital-cultural training. Data from 208 expatriates working in tourism, healthcare, and higher education in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar reveal multiple equifinal pathways to successful adjustment. Results highlight that adaptation emerges from distinct combinations of digital, cultural, and organizational factors rather than a single determinant. Two dominant configurations drive adjustment: high metacognitive and behavioral intelligence, combined with strong organizational support, and cognitive-motivational intelligence, paired with language skills and training to compensate for limited international experience. The study advances the person-environment fit theory by introducing the concept of digital-cultural fit and underscores the value of configurational methods in global HRM research.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalIntelligenceWorkplaceHumansQatarSaudi Arabia

Identifiers

PMID41686776
PMCPMC12904368

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.