Defining cultural intelligence: Preliminary findings related to adoption and behavior change in sustainable agricultural systems

Keywords: Behavior Change, Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems, International, Culture, Farmer, Agriculture
Abstract Type: Lightning Paper Abstract

Abstract

International travel is often included in agricultural leadership development programming. However, the outcomes of that travel and the potential capacity developed are not well understood. Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the ability to effectively contribute to cross-cultural work environments. A wide variety of literature examines the manifestation of CQ in healthcare and business and has been linked to reduced burnout and improved job performance. However, CQ has not been applied to the agriculture and food systems context. Additionally, the process and program components that contribute to the development of CQ have yet to be identified. The objective of this research is to examine the role of exposure to diverse agricultural systems in developing CQ capacity building and spurring the adoption of sustainable agriculture. Many opportunities for exposure to diverse agricultural and food systems may contribute to CQ and are available for rural stakeholders, agricultural producers, and future agricultural leaders, including FFA, commodity board trade representatives, 4-H International, Rotary International, and Peace Corps volunteers. Unstructured interviews were conducted with alumni and global agricultural leadership program coordinators. Themes arose from the interviews defining what CQ in agriculture is, factors of CQ, components of effective programming and exposure, and the process of CQ capacity development. A process model of the CQ capacity development process is presented. The results will be beneficial in identifying alternative methods for increasing the adoption of sustainable agriculture and spurring innovation within food systems .