Final answer:
Executives identify globalization as the most pressing issue for the need of cultural intelligence, as it enhances interactions among diverse cultures, necessitating greater understanding and competence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most pressing issue executives identify for why cultural intelligence is needed is globalization. The reason globalization is a pressing issue is due to the fact that it increases the interaction among people from different cultural backgrounds. This requires sensitivity and understanding of these cultures to avoid ethnocentrism and to appreciate the diversity of values and cultural practices. Modernization theory primarily suggests that industrialization is the driver of societal changes. When core nations influence the development of peripheral nations, it is imperative to be conscious of cultural identity preservation, anticipate modernization pitfalls, and avoid assumptions of superiority. Moreover, issues stemming from media globalization like cultural imperialism or the loss of local culture demonstrate the need for cultural competence. Executives stress the importance of cultural intelligence in a world where efficient communication and collaboration are essential to optimizing a company's productivity in an ever-diversifying work environment.