Does self-leadership of expatriates drive their performance: mediating and moderating mechanism

Purpose The existing literature on assigned expatriates (AEs) underscores the role of the host country’s leadership approach in shaping expatriates’ careers. This study examines the influence of AEs' self-leadership on their performance, with particular emphasis on the interplay between self-efficacy (SE), cultural intelligence (CQ) and support from host-country nationals (HCNs). Design/methodology/approach We tested our hypotheses using data gathered from 201 Indian AEs deployed across various countries. Findings Our findings highlight a positive relationship between AEs’ self-leadership and performance. Furthermore, we identified that SE partially mediates the link between AEs’ self-leadership and performance, and CQ and HCN support serve as moderators in this relationship. Originality/value This research enhances our understanding of the role of self-leadership in international assignments, introducing a mediating mechanism and presenting an integrated framework that incorporates CQ and HCN support.