Abstract—This research examined university students’ intention to pursue employment abroad after finishing their studies. While most studies on predicting career choice among students relied exclusively on utilizing the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study augmented the TPB with cognitive cultural intelligence (cognitive CQ), serving as a moderator, and work-related perspectives, serving as another predictor. Participants were 153 students, who were studying business administration in a university in Turkey. The results indicated that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control but not attitudes predicted the intention and, hence, partially supported the TPB. Students’ perceptions of overseas career development opportunities were found to be another predictor of the intention to work abroad. Also, this study revealed that cognitive CQ had moderating effects on the translation of subjective norms and perceived behavioral control into intention. Such findings contribute to the understanding of the TPB and offer useful implications for organizations selecting employees for overseas assignments and those recruiting foreign employees.

Index Terms—career development, cultural intelligence, international career, theory of planned behavior, university students, working abroad

Cite: Serra E. Yurtkoru, Emmanuel Dauda, and Wichakorn Sekarawisut, "The Theory of Planned Behavior Augmented with Cognitive Cultural Intelligence and Work-Related Perceptions in Predicting Intention to Work Abroad" Journal of Advanced Management Science, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 176-181, May 2017. doi: 10.18178/joams.5.3.176-181