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Let’s Be Friends: National Homophily in Multicultural Newcomer Student Networks

Publication Type : Journal Article

Publisher : Scientific Research

Source : Social Networking, 8(01), 16-38.

Url : https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=89315

Keywords : Homophily, Newcomer Networks, Interpersonal Relationships, Nationality

Year : 2018

Abstract : Understanding the relational and network dynamics among newcomer networks is important to devising appropriate strategies that will maximize the productivity of the incoming workforce. Nevertheless, there are limited empirical contributions on newcomer networks with few studies examining newcomer networks in international environments. This study focuses on national homophily and examines whether ethnic identity salience, self-efficacy, individualism and ethnocentrism are associated with the occurrence of national homophily in newcomers networks. Using a multicultural student sample drawn from newly formed networks, the study found that ethnic identity salience and academic self-efficacy are associated with national homophily positively and negatively, respectively. Individualism is not found to be related to homophily while, contrary to our hypothesis, ethnocentrism is found to be negatively related to homophily. Through its examination of the effect of attitudinal variables on homophily, this study contributes to the broader literature on homophily and provides implications for managers and researchers.

Cite this Research Publication : Kishore Gopalakrishna Pillai, Constantinos N. Leonidou, Xuemei Bian (2018). Let’s Be Friends: National Homophily in Multicultural Newcomer Student Networks. DOI: 10.4236/sn.2019.81002

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