Dispositional affectivity and work outcomes of expatriates

How the two components of dispositional affectivity, positive affectivity, representing the predisposition to respond positively to environmental stimuli, and negative affectivity, depicting the opposite reaction, influence work has been the focus of much research. Although dispositional affectivity appears to be a promising construct to explain and predict many attitudinal and behavioral outcomes in the workplace, few studies have empirically investigated dispositional affectivity and the work of expatriates. Hence, data from a net-based survey including 350 expatriates in Denmark were used to examine the relationship between dispositional affectivity and their work outcomes. Results showed consistent positive associations between positive affectivity and all the studied work outcomes and the opposite relationships for negative affectivity. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed in detail.

► Few studies have investigated dispositional affectivity and expatriate work. ► A survey to 350 expatriates in Denmark examined this relationship. ► There were positive associations between positive affectivity and work outcomes. ► There were the opposite relationships for negative affectivity.