Presentation Schedule
Competencies of Third Culture Kids as an Example to Reshape the Education System for Industry 5.0 (97715)
Session Chair: Lei Huang
This presentation will be live-streamed via Zoom (Online Access)
Saturday, 4 October 2025 11:10
Session: Session 1
Room: Live-Stream Room 2
Presentation Type:Live-Stream Presentation
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Third Culture Kids (TCKs) are individuals who spent significant formative years outside their passport country due to a parent’s international work. In contrast, non-TCKs experienced static, monocultural education and upbringing. As globalization intensified in Industry 5.0, the demand for culturally intelligent, human-centered leadership increased. This study investigated the development of intercultural competence in both TCKs and non-TCKs and its role in global leadership readiness.
Using qualitative methods, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with ten adult professionals five TCKs and five non-TCKs working in international organizations. Participants reflected on their educational experiences during formative years, leadership development, and intercultural skills, including adaptability, inclusion, and cross-cultural communication during professional life. Thematic analysis revealed key contrasts: TCKs often demonstrated early multilingualism (the ability to communicate fluently in more than one language), flexibility (the capacity to adjust to diverse cultural and professional contexts), and cultural intelligence (the capability to relate and work effectively across cultures). In contrast, non-TCKs typically acquired these traits later through corporate training or global exposure. These preliminary findings highlighted the limitations of static education systems in organically fostering such competencies.
The objective of the study was to define the competencies of TCKs in contrast to non-TCKs who experienced a static education system. The study aimed to examine how differing educational exposures influenced professional preparedness in the context of Industry 5.0. Recommendations were provided for integrating cultural intelligence, multilingualism, and flexibility into formal education to reshape curricula toward human-centered, globally aware leadership development.
Authors:
Narmadha Kamalakannan, Ecole Des Ponts Business School, France
Cezi Cevik Onar, Ecole Des Ponts Business School, France
About the Presenter(s)
Doctoral student with 18 years of Corporate leadership experience as HR Learning and Development specialist
Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/narmadha-kamalakannan-9816601a
See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule
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