Nikola ZIVLAK

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Academic Director, Undergraduate/Graduate Programs, emlyon business school Asia
Director of International Cooperation emlyon business school Asia

Zoe Reichman

ECNU China & emlyon France Masters Graduate
Operation and HR Administrator , CultivAid

Recently, Nikola ZIVLAK, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at emlyon business school and Zoe Reichman, PGE alumni and Operations & HR Manager at CultivAid, jointly published a groundbreaking article titled “Culture, Creativity, and Innovation,” exploring how Cultural Intelligence (CQ) serves as a key driver of innovation for both individuals and organizations.

In today’s interconnected world, nearly every organization operates in a global context – even those that appear local. Whether it’s having one or two expatriates on staff or working with international clients and partners, cross-cultural interactions are more common than ever, especially with the shift to online work. These daily exchanges with people from diverse backgrounds present an opportunity. Cultural Intelligence – the ability to navigate and adapt to different cultural contexts – can be a valuable tool for turning those interactions into sources of creativity and innovation in the workplace.

Emerging research suggests that cultural intelligence (CQ) can help increase innovative behavior in global organizations. With globalization accelerating, workplaces are increasingly multicultural. For Chinese expatriates working across 25 countries, being open to cultural differences didn’t just help them adapt – it was also associated with higher levels of creativity and innovation.

CQ helps people think beyond borders

Cultural Intelligence goes beyond learning a few polite phrases in another language. It involves understanding how people think, communicate, and work in different settings. In a small-scale study surveying 113 Chinese expatriates, those who reported higher levels of CQ also reported more frequent innovative work behaviors – such as suggesting improvements, launching new ideas, or redesigning work processes.

One explanation may be that CQ creates the conditions for creativity. People who feel more at ease in unfamiliar environments might be more likely to experiment and propose new approaches. This is consistent with findings from prior research suggesting that CQ facilitates effective communication and knowledge exchange.

CQ doesn’t just help you fit in – it helps you think differently

The study also suggested that creativity could be a key link between CQ and innovative work behavior. Individuals with higher CQ weren’t just better at adjusting to foreign settings — they also seemed more likely to see challenges through a fresh lens and come up with original solutions. This aligns with earlier findings that CQ is positively associated with creativity.

Creativity, in this context, is more than generating ideas; it serves as a bridge between understanding different cultural norms and implementing innovative solutions within the workplace.

Where ideas meet implementation

Innovation doesn’t stop at a great idea. It also requires action. In the same study, those who scored higher in CQ and creativity were also more likely to report behaviors linked to innovation within their organizations. Innovative Work Behavior (IWB) – such as developing new methods, suggesting product improvements, or reshaping internal processes – appeared more often among individuals with stronger cultural intelligence and creativity.

These results also found support in existing literature, which links innovative behaviors to organizational innovation (West, 2000; Afsar et al., 2014). While the findings are based on a limited sample, they provide a useful indication of how cultural competencies might contribute to innovation efforts.

The future may belong to the culturally intelligent

As organizations operate more globally, the ability to navigate cultural complexity is becoming increasingly valued. Cultural intelligence is not just a personal strength; it may also support team collaboration, creativity, and innovation.

As the research tentatively concludes: “By improving employees’ Cultural Intelligence, their creativity and innovative work behavior can be significantly enhanced.”

While further studies are needed to confirm these links, the early findings suggest that CQ is worth paying attention to – not as a guaranteed formula, but as a promising contributor to innovation in today’s interconnected world.

The question is: is Cultural Intelligence something you can develop, or is it more of an innate trait? You could live in a foreign country for five years and still never truly engage with the local culture – especially if you’re not open to it. The point is, people are different, and there’s always something to learn from each person you meet. Stay open, listen, and work on strengthening your cultural intelligence. You never know—some of your best ideas might come from that mindset.