National Homophily in Multicultural Newcomer Networks

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 a handful of studies examining newcomer networks in international environments. In this study, we focus on national homophily and examine whether identity salience, academic self-efficacy, individualism and ethnocentricm are associated with the occurrence of national homophily in such newcomers networks. Using a multicultural student sample drawn from newly formed networks, we show that identity salience and academic self-efficacy are associated with national homophily in a positive and negative way respectively. In addition, individualism was not found to be related to homophily, while contrary to our hypothesis, ethnocentrism was found to be negatively linked to homophily. Through its examination of the effect of attitudinal variables on homophily, this study contributes to the broader literature on newcomer networks and provides implications for managers and future researchers.