Demystifying the myth about marginals: Implications for global leadership
Date
2013
Authors
Fitzsimmons, Stacey R.
Lee, Yih-teen
Brannen, Mary Yoko
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of International Management
Abstract
Marginals are a type of bicultural (or multicultural) individual who have internalized more than one culture, yet do not identify strongly with either or any of them; they are simultaneously cultural insiders and outsiders. This duality has led them to be overlooked as positive contributors to organizations. On average, marginals have been found to experience worse psychological, social and adjustment outcomes than other biculturals. However, in this paper, we argue that new evidence challenges this view. We propose a conceptual explanation for the outliers from the average marginalized experience, to contend that under certain conditions, marginals may possess certain advantages that facilitate their potential to excel as global leaders.
Description
Keywords
Cultural Identities, Marginals, Biculturals, Multicultural Individuals, Global Leadership
Citation
Fitzsimmons, S.R., Lee, Y., & Brannen, M. (2013). Demystifying the myth about marginals: Implications for global leadership. European Journal of International Management, 7(5), 587-603.