Work

Bridging distances: Types of social capital, quantity and quality of interactions, and cultural adaptation strategies of highly skilled professionals in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Technological advancements have alleviated the challenges posed by geographical distance in connecting international migrants with their home countries, leading to transformations in transnational interaction dynamics and enhancing the complexity of cultural adjustment processes. This study examines the relationships between adaptation strategies, transnational social capital, and local social capital in China among foreign high-skilled professionals (FHSPs) in China. The results indicate that most FHSPs in China employ strategies that blend home and host cultural elements, specifically assimilation-oriented integration, moderate integration, and integration, with a minority adopting a separation strategy. Both local bonding and bridging social capital, as well as digitally mediated transnational bonding and bridging social capital, are positively associated with assimilation-oriented integration strategies. Furthermore, we identified two crucial moderating mechanisms: (1) the quality of transnational interactions (social presence), rather than their frequency, strengthens the positive link between transnational social capital and adaptation outcomes; (2) local interaction frequency, comprising community participation, leisure interactions, and volunteering, strengthens the link between host-country social capital and adaptation outcomes. In contrast, local interaction quality—operationalized as perceived discrimination and perceived preferential treatment—fails to show a significant moderating effect.The paper offers theoretical and policy insights to improve foreign professionals' cultural adaptation in China.

Source: International Journal of Intercultural Relations

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2026.102419

Authors: Lin Xue, Shuzhuo Li, Meng Bai, Jingyu Bi

Institution: Xi'an Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: International Student and Expatriate Challenges

Subfield: Communication

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,420

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China