Research

Dr. Stokke’s Research:
Adult Third Culture Kids: Potential Global Leaders with Global Mindset

A research study exploring the influence of growing up outside one’s parent’s home culture on the development of an ability to think and act across cultural boundaries. The question being, if I lived a significant portion of my growing up years outside my parent’s home country or culture, will I have developed the skills, abilities, and characteristics, the global mindset, needed in our increasingly global environment? This research, conducted by Dr. Stokke, suggests there is a propensity for global mindedness in Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs), also known as Global Nomads. 

The research design included the use of the Global Mindset Inventory (GMI) developed by the Najafi Global Mindset Institute at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. The GMI is a survey tool that assesses global mindset. In addition to administering the GMI, Dr. Stokke conducted qualitative interviews to explore the global mindset of thirteen ATCKs. 

The novel aspect of this research was looking at ATCKs from a business perspective as potential global leaders and employees with global mindset. In essence, the study explored the mindset of ATCKs for similar characteristics as those required of global leaders as discussed in global leadership literature. Additionally, measuring global mindset through the GMI allowed for a quantitative look at the characteristics of ATCKs,  which was a unique approach to TCK research.

Research Results

The results indicated that ATCKs tend to be changers, communicators, creative problem solvers, and global citizens. They welcome change. They are flexible, adaptable, and curious. They observe and listen. They often excel at bridging differences and bringing people together, making them good negotiators and project managers. They are open to new ideas and ways of doing things. When things get tough, they find a way through, around, or over the challenge. They are intolerant of and disturbed by discrimination, valuing and celebrating differences. Many ATCKs are motivated to travel and live in different places, making them “ideal” expats and global leaders.

Recommendations
One of the recommendations emerging from this research is that organizations, human resource professionals, and recruiters need to seek out and consider ATCKs for global assignments. The internet now offers many networking opportunities for recruiters and ATCKs, making it possible to make connections for career opportunities. 

More Information on Adult Third Culture Kids as Global Leaders

Dr. Stokke’s book Adult Third Culture Kids: Potential global leaders with global mindset is now available here.

 

TCK on a Mission – Interviewwith Dr. Stokke
Episode 008:Developing The Global Mindset bit.ly/1qy6yj0
September 25, 2014
byTayo Rockson