European Expatriates in Jordan: Does Age Affect The Ability to Adapt to Arab Culture?

Rami H.M. Aljbour

This study examined the relationship between the age of European expatriates and their adaptability to the Arab culture of Jordan using quantitative comparative correlational methods. Data for this study was collected through an online survey collected from 87 European expatriates who are of different age categories and currently working in Jordan. The findings of this study indicate to the significant relationship between the age of European expatriates and their level of adaptability to the Arab culture of Jordan. It was found that European expatriates of the age category of “51 or elder” are more likely to adapt to the Arab culture of Jordan than those of the age of 50 years or younger. This result reinforces previous studies related to the impact of age of expatriates on their cross-cultural adjustment. The limitation of this study is due to the small size of participants who are currently working only in Jordan. Thus, future research might replicate and expand this study to all Arab markets and with a larger number of participants.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.21102/wjm.2016.09.72.01