Abstract:

Global competencies, with slight differences in terminology by researchers have been frequently investigated, primarily from an American- biased perspective (American Council on International Intercultural Education (ACIIE) and the Stanley Foundation, 1997; Bennett, 1993; Carano, 2010; Chen & Starosta, 2000; Deardorff, 2004; Hett, 1993; Hunter, 2004; Mansilla & Jackson, 2011; Merriam & Associates, 2007; Olson & Kroeger, 2001; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 2003; Reimers, 2008; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 1998; Winn, 2003). Little or no defining research currently existed that identified requisite universally agreed upon global competencies, nor shed light on the role that affective components play in determining which competencies are perceived to be important. For at least the past decade, the literature was replete with references to the concept of affective components. The extent to which individuals from different GeoCultural Regions identify affective components important in today’s global society is discussed. GeoCultural Regions were identified for comparisons of responses, which entailed the development of a process for placing individuals within a primary GeoCultural Region. A questionnaire was administered to expert panel members in eight GeoCultural regions to elicit responses to perceived important affective components needed from a cross-cultural perspective. Conclusions made from this study were that affective competence appears to be a complex construct that involves more than one component. Based on this study, there are at least nine different affective components perceived to be important in order to be a culturally competent individual in today’s global society. All of the nine affective components were perceived to be important in all GeoCultural regions and subcategories.

There were differences found in three of the affective components indicating that there may be some differences between GeoCultural regions and subcategories.

Keywords:

Affecive Competencies, Cross-Culture, GeoCultural Regions, Global Competencies/Subcategories, Social Intelligence.