Predicting Intercultural Leadership Readiness using the Indonesian Cultural Empathy Scale (ICES): Evidence from Student Organizations
Keywords:
Keywords: cultural empathy; cross-cultural leadership; ICES; student organizations; diversity
Abstract
This study aims to test the influence of the Indonesian Cultural Empathy Scale (ICES) on Intercultural Leadership Readiness to students who are active in the organization. The background of this research is based on the increasing need for adaptive leadership in a multicultural context, especially in Indonesian higher education environments that have ethnic, religious and cultural diversity. This research uses a quantitative approach with predictive correlational design. The research sample consisted of 110 students who were active in organizations, who were selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through a Likert scale-based questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS, including reliability tests, normality tests, Pearson correlations, and simple linear regression. The research results show that ICES has high reliability (α = 0.878) and has a positive and significant effect on Intercultural Leadership Readiness (β = 0.759; p < 0.001). The determination coefficient value (R² = 0.576) shows that cultural empathy contributes 57.6% to cross-cultural leadership readiness. These findings confirm that cultural empathy is an important factor in shaping inclusive and adaptive leadership in multicultural environments. This research provides theoretical contributions in the development of leadership models based on local cultural contexts, as well as practical implications for the development of student leadership programs in higher education.
References
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[2] Anam, A. M. (2016). Penanaman nilai-nilai pendidikan multikultural di perguruan tinggi: Studi kasus di Universitas Islam Malang. Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim.
[3] Ang, S., & Van Dyne, L. (2020). Handbook of cultural intelligence: Theory, measurement, and applications. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315444675
[4] Ang, S., Van Dyne, L., Koh, C., Ng, K. Y., Templer, K. J., Tay, C., & Chandrasekar, N. A. (2007). Cultural intelligence: Its measurement and effects on cultural judgment and decision making, cultural adaptation and task performance. Management and Organization Review, 3(3), 335–371. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8784.2007.00082.x
[5] Bird, A., & Mendenhall, M. E. (2016). From cross-cultural management to global leadership: Evolution and adaptation. Journal of World Business, 51(1), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2015.10.005
[6] Budiono, B. (2021). Urgensi Pendidikan Multikultural Dalam Pengembangan Nasionalisme Indonesia. Jurnal Civic Hukum, 6(1).
[7] Caffrey, K. T. (2023). Speaking to the head and the heart: Prioritizing empathetic communication in the post-COVID workplace. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 87(3), 367–382. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294906221143347
[8] Cheung, F. M., van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Leong, F. T. L. (2011). Toward a new approach to the study of personality in culture. American Psychologist, 66(7), 593–603. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022389
[9] Chin, J. L., Trimble, J. E., & Garcia, J. E. (2017). Global and culturally diverse leaders and leadership: New dimensions and challenges for business, education and society. Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/9781786352622
[10] Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.44.1.113
[11] Dugan, J. P., & Komives, S. R. (2007). Developing leadership capacity in college students. College Park, MD: National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs.
[12] Earley, P. C., & Ang, S. (2003). Cultural intelligence: Individual interactions across cultures.
[13] Eisenberg, N., Eggum, N. D., & Di Giunta, L. (2010). Empathy-related responding: Associations with prosocial behavior, aggression, and intergroup relationships. Social Issues and Policy Review, 4(1), 143–180. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-2409.2010.01020.x
[14] Heine, S. J. (2020). Cultural psychology: Fourth international student edition. WW Norton & company.
[15] Kalshoven, K., Den Hartog, D. N., & De Hoogh, A. H. B. (2013). Ethical leadership and follower helping and courtesy: Moral awareness and empathic concern as moderators. Applied Psychology, 62(2), 211–235. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2011.00483.x
[16] Komives, S. R., Owen, J. E., Longerbeam, S. D., Mainella, F. C., & Osteen, L. (2005). Developing a leadership identity: A grounded theory. Journal of College Student Development, 46(6), 593–611. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2005.0061
[17] Li, M., Mobley, W. H., & Kelly, A. (2023). Advances in cross-cultural leadership research: A systematic review. Human Resource Management Review, 33(2), 100893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2022.100893
[18] Ma, G., Wu, W., Liu, C., Ji, J., & Gao, X. (2024). Empathetic leadership and employees’ innovative behavior: Examining the roles of career adaptability and uncertainty avoidance. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1371936. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1371936
[19] Mayhew, M. J., Rockenbach, A. N., Bowman, N. A., Seifert, T. A. D., & Wolniak, G. C. (2016). How college affects students: 21st century evidence that higher education works. John Wiley & Sons.
[20] Mentari, A., Yanzi, H., & Putri, D. S. (2021). Implementasi pendidikan karakter di perguruan tinggi. Jurnal Kultur Demokrasi, 10(1), 1–8.
[21] Ng, K.-Y., Van Dyne, L., & Ang, S. (2009). From experience to experiential learning: Cultural intelligence as a learning capability for global leader development. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 8(4), 511–526. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.8.4.zqr511
[22] Ni, D., Zheng, X., & Liang, L. H. (2023). How and when leader mindfulness influences team member interpersonal behavior. Human Relations, 76(12). https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267221128571
[23] Nishii, L. H., & Mayer, D. M. (2009). Do inclusive leaders help to reduce turnover in diverse groups? The moderating role of leader–member exchange in the diversity–turnover relationship. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(6), 1412–1426. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017190
[24] Nugraha, Y. K., & Sumaryatiningsih, S. (2022). Models Of Character Education In New Paradigm: Strengthening Tolerance In Higher Education. Proceeding of International Conference on Islamic Education (ICIED), 718–726.
[25] Oktori, A. R. (2017). Multicultural-Based Islamic Education as The Foundation in Reducing Religious Radical Tendencies. AJIS, 2(1).
[26] Otaya, L. G. (2014). Value-based character education. Nadwa: Journal of Islamic Education, 8(1), 75–94. https://doi.org/10.21580/nw.2014.8.1.569
[27] Raihani, R., Issabekova, G., Maulana, T., & Abdrakhman, G. (2025). Multicultural education in Indonesia's “Merdeka” curriculum. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(1), 413–432. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.1.413.432
[28] Rockstuhl, T., Seiler, S., Ang, S., Van Dyne, L., & Annen, H. (2020). Beyond general intelligence: The role of cultural intelligence on cross-border leadership effectiveness. Journal of International Business Studies, 51(4), 675–697. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-019-00257-0
[29] Shore, L. M., Randel, A. E., Chung, B. G., Dean, M. A., Holcombe Ehrhart, K., & Singh, G. (2011). Inclusion and diversity in work groups: A review and model for future research. Journal of Management, 37(4), 1262–1289. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206310385943
[30] Tajfel, H., Turner, J., Austin, W. G., & Worchel, S. (2001). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. Intergroup Relations: Essential Readings, 94–109.
[31] Todd, A. R., & Galinsky, A. D. (2014). Perspective-taking as a strategy for improving intergroup relations: Evidence, mechanisms, and qualifications. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 8(7), 374–387. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12116
[32] Wang, Y.-W., Davidson, M. M., Yakushko, O. F., Savoy, H. B., Tan, J. A., & Bleier, J. K. (2003). The scale of ethnocultural empathy: Development, validation, and reliability. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50(2), 221–234. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.50.2.221
[33] Wang, Y., Gelfand, M. J., & Raver, J. L. (2021). Cultural intelligence: A review, reflections, and recommendations for future research. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 8, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-012420-055403
[34] Zhang, Y. S. D., & Noels, K. A. (2023). Cultural empathy in intercultural interactions: Development and validation of the intercultural empathy index. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 45(10), 4572–4590. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2023.2173759
[35] Zhou, Y., Liu, J., & Chen, G. (2022). Empathy and leadership effectiveness in multicultural teams: A meta-analysis. The Leadership Quarterly, 33(5), 101607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2022.101607
Published
2026-07-18
How to Cite
Badriyah, L. (2026). Predicting Intercultural Leadership Readiness using the Indonesian Cultural Empathy Scale (ICES): Evidence from Student Organizations. DAWUH : Islamic Communication Journal, 7(2), 327-336. https://doi.org/10.62159/dawuh.v7i2.2123
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