Evolution of culture assimilators: toward theory-based assimilators

A review of cross-cultural literature shows that culture assimilators have emerged as the most researched method of cross-cultural training, and that the theory of individualism and collectivism has begun to find many applications. Since researchers have generally disregarded the inclusion of culture theories in assimilators, and theories are valued for both their explanatory and predictive functions, development of a culture assimilator based on the theory of individualism and collectivism may add to the growth of the field. In this paper. a method for developing such an assimilator is proposed. and implications for future research and practice are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.