The development and validation of a theory of missionary expatriate effectiveness among Assemblies of God World Missions personnel

This dissertation develops a theory of missionary expatriate effectiveness (MEE) by examining the impact of stable dispositions, dynamic competencies, calling, and control variables on missionary adjustment, performance, and work engagement among current Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) personnel. The study is reported in two phases. In the first phase, semi-structured interviews and online surveys are used to develop a model of missionary job performance (MJP) from the perspective of mission agency leaders. The resulting Missionary Performance Scale (MPS) exhibited excellent psychometric properties in the studied population and was incorporated into a global survey of AGWM personnel.;In the second phase of research, the study reports on a global survey of AGWM personnel (n = 949) serving in 127 nations. Data were collected using the Global Work Adjustment Survey (GWAS), which was designed as a part of this research. Analysis of the GWAS produced a structural equation model (SEM) of MEE that accounts for 79.5 percent of the variance in MEE and demonstrates the central role of intercultural dynamics in predicting the criterion. The MEE criterion was validated, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The roles of calling and the Big Five personality factors are also explained in the model.;Prior to this study, research on expatriate managers in multinational corporations (MNCs) had revealed the value of stable dispositions, dynamic competencies, and control variables for the prediction of expatriate effectiveness (EE) in the dimensions of adjustment, performance, and work engagement. The EE criterion had never before been statistically validated as a three-dimensional construct, explaining a significant amount of the variance shared by adjustment, work engagement, and job performance. Further, it was unclear to what extent these factors apply to MEE among current AGWM personnel and how calling may influence these adjustment factors. These issues are addressed through research in biblical and missiological literature and mixed methods of field research, including primary source document review, semi-structured qualitative interviewing, and a large-scale survey of AGWM missionaries living abroad.