Critical Situations in Multicultural Teams. Challenges for Multinational Companies PDF Download

Author: Lucia Schellwies
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3656826250
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 55

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Book Description
Bachelor Thesis from the year 2014 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 2,3, EBC University Stuttgart, course: International Business Management, language: English, abstract: As a result of the increasing globalization the business world gets interconnected and more and more organizations are operating internationally. Such multinational companies often rely on successful teamwork to reach goals and to compete on the fast-paced global market. Indeed, teamwork plays a variety of important roles; when employees with varying skill sets and ideas are working together in a team not only information and knowledge can be shared, successful teamwork can also lead to faster results. A group of employees clearly can achieve more than one individual alone. Teams, whose members come from different nations and backgrounds place special demands on operations, diversity clearly adds complexity and a longer learning curve for establishing effective processes. In the multicultural team, obviously, culture itself is one significant characteristic, in addition the role of emotions in the team have gained increasing interest in the last years. Nevertheless, research in this field is scarce and through adding an additional variable – culture, the multicultural character is making research even more complicate. Practitioners report that where people work together, emotions are not far to seek. While influencing our thinking and behavior, the effects of emotions and the resulting behavior can either be positive, or negative. In multicultural teams an awareness of emotions seems to be especially important as cultural differences in emotion processing and diversity among members may cause negative emotion and lead to conflict and misunderstandings what may have serious consequences reducing performance. The aim of this paper is to identify challenges for multinational teams focusing on emotions within the team, and to propose emotional intelligence as an approach to multicultural team effectiveness. The two research questions guiding this work are: 1. What role do emotions play in the multicultural team? 2. Is emotional intelligence connected with multicultural team effectiveness?

Author: Gerd Reisigl
Publisher: diplom.de
ISBN: 3832485643
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 186

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Book Description
Inhaltsangabe:Abstract: Interest in emotions within organisation increased in the last years. However, research in this field is scarce. In the discussion about emotions in organisation the increasing number of multicultural teams is adding an additional variable: culture , making research even more complicate. Practitioners report that where culture meets conflicts accompanied by negative emotions such as anger occur. However, also positive emotions like happiness may occur, having a positive influence on motivation and enhance cohesion, what may be considered as benefit in multicultural teams. Although anger as well happiness are considered as universally experienced emotion, there is some evidence that the causes, expression, and the behaviour which follows anger and happiness are culturally influenced. In multicultural teams the knowledge about the antecedents of these two emotions and the following behaviour seems to be especially important as on one hand misunderstandings and conflict connected with anger, may have serious social consequences reducing performance or even resulting in contra productive behaviour threatening the organisation, and on the other hand experience of success and good communication, enhancing team collaboration, seems to be connected with happiness. This thesis aims to contribute to a better understanding with regards the culturally-influenced antecedents of the two emotions anger and happiness as well as about the resulting behavioural consequences in multicultural team settings. The two research questions guiding this work are: 1. In which multicultural team situations do the emotions anger and happiness arise? 2. Which are the antecedents, in team settings, of the two emotions and which is the resulting behaviour respectively consequences that follows? Ahead, the Theoretical Part should provide the reader a basic introduction about emotions and the connected relevant factors like cognition, sociality and culture with regard to the research questions. Offering a working definition of culture and emotion, the attempt to illustrate the role of emotion in multicultural team settings as well the discussion about the discrepancy of expectation and of expression regarding emotions throughout cultures, should make the reader more sensible about a) the possible detected differences in antecedents and behavioural consequences and b) their impact in multicultural teams. In Chapter One a discussion about [...]

Author: Bruno Amann
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 100019485X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
The development of international business and of globalization in every field of activity requires the interaction of individuals and groups with diverse cultural, religious, ethnic and social characteristics in different institutional contexts. Cross-cultural Challenges in International Management addresses the various difficulties that may impede smooth communication and cooperation of those involved in such interactions. It examines what types of resources are mobilized to overcome such difficulties. The cultural and societal challenges of international management must be considered at different levels, the one of strategy, which the first part of the book is devoted to, but also that of management and business practices, addressed in the third part of the book. Both strategic decisions and daily business practices, however, in the particularly fluctuating and incompletely defined international context, gain from being framed by ethical and corporate social responsibility, which the second part of this book is devoted to. Cross-cultural Challenges in International Management provides an analysis of specific situations revealing such cultural or societal challenges. Thus, the reader will benefit not only from advanced theoretical knowledge in the field, but also from practical applications in various professional context and various countries. Practitioners, students in various fields of social sciences, particularly in management, communication, international relations, and researchers will widely benefit from this book.

Author: P. Christopher Earley
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135662509
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
This authored book's purpose is to extend and consolidate the evolving literature on multinational work teams by developing a comprehensive theory that incorporates a dynamic, multilevel view of such teams. The model used by the authors focuses on various features of the team's members, their interactions as a team, and the organizational context in which they operate. The concept of integration and differentiation, as well as the notion of equilibrium are used as a general force guiding the specific processes that link various levels of analysis in the model. Providing a framework for scholars and students in the field of organizational studies, this book presents: *a comprehensive review of the literature related to multinational and multicultural teams; *an overview of the specific model driving our thinking along with an extensive description of the component parts; *the individual and group-level elements of teams and their members; *the linking processes that connect various elements and structures; *the catalysts that give rise to changes in various elements and structures described in the theory section; and *a general integration of the model and an application of this framework for understanding MNT's in diverse cultural contexts.

Author: Anja Berndt
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3346341089
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 63

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Book Description
Bachelor Thesis from the year 2020 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,8, The FOM University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, course: Challenges in leading cross-cultural teams, language: English, abstract: Teams are staffed with people from different nations, which brings many advantages in terms of achieving the best possible results for customers, who also have different cultural backgrounds. In this thesis, the leadership challenges that arise and are present in cross-cultural teams will be presented, and practical instruments to deal with them will be indicated. One element that affects team performance and defines success is leadership. Yet, leaders influence the team outcome. In this complex environment leaders are challenged through these diverse cultures with new issues and requirements. Gaining further practical insights can help to understand, recognize and reduce these issues to ensure the company’s success. The thesis aims to ascertain the challenges of leading a cross-cultural team, as well as which practical instruments are available to deal with them, by conducting three interviews with experts and providing explanations based on theories. Accordingly, this thesis aims to provide some ideas concerning what leaders can expect that they need to solve and the necessary skills when leading a cross-cultural team. Based on the literature, analysis questions will be developed for the expert interviews with a leader, an HR developer and an advisor/coach, based on which the challenges will be found. The subject of this thesis is the leadership of cross-cultural teams and it will focus on the interaction between the leader and team in an organizational environment, e.g. a department or an association for a specific task. Although the specific team variables such as size, composition and gender, virtuality, corporate culture and company structure are not part of this question and will not be considered separately, they nevertheless play a role and thus cannot be ignored. To answer the research question, culture and cross-cultural teams will first be defined, whereby the cultural frameworks of Hofstede and the GLOBE study and team processes will be described. Subsequently, leadership will be defined and considered. The next chapter will explore the method as defined by the literature and the research procedure employed in this thesis as well as the results will be evaluated and discussed. In the final chapter, a conclusion will be reached highlighting challenges

Author: Marco Erlenkamp
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3638486281
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 29

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Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,7, niversity of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhelmshaven; Emden, course: International Human Resource Management, language: English, abstract: Table of contents 1. Intercultural Management as a challenge 1.1. Globalisation of the economy 1.2. Demographics 1.3. Migration 2. Cultural Differences 2.1. Theories of cultures 2.1.1. Hofstede 2.1.2. Trompenaars 2.1.3. Hall 2.1.4. Pinto 2.2. Intercultural behaviour 2.3. Conclusion 3. Intercultural Communication 3.1. Communication model 3.2. Cultural Communication barriers 3.3. Successful communication 4. International Teams 4.1. Multicultural workgroups 4.2. Team development 4.3. Critical areas for successful teamwork 5. Diversity Management 5.1. Classical vs. modern definition 5.2. Historical development 5.3. Diversity Management as a competitive advantage 6. Conclusion 8. Literature 8.1. Books and other printed media 8.2. Websites 1. Intercultural Management as a challenge The main purpose of intercultural management is to manage the diverse workforce that appears in most of our companies. During the last decades, a trend towards globalisation could be monitored. The workforce doesn’t consist mainly of male Caucasians anymore. Today, we have a colourful mixture of people at the workplace. People who come from different countries, different cultures and different ethical backgrounds.

Author: Sebastian Henseler
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3346235858
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 11

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Essay from the year 2019 in the subject Leadership and Human Resource Management - Leadership, grade: 85%, University of Exeter, course: Modul: International Human Resource Management, language: English, abstract: The present paper is concerned with the classical challenges faced by employers working abroad. It aims to shed light on the research area of multicultural teams in a professional context. This paper is divided into three thematically differentiated main areas. The first part is concerned with the evidence of the special importance of the research area of ​​multicultural teams for research and practice The second part deals with the description of typical and recurring problems and challenges of multicultural teams. Four potential sources of danger for efficient collaboration are identified and supported by practical examples. The third part of this paper, then, deals with strategies that enable HR departments to develop the specific skills of multicultural teams used to avoid failure and frustration. Possible strategies are designed according to the challenges highlighted in section two identified and relate to their context. Finally, the knowledge gained in the course of this work is summarized and the strategy with the greatest and most universal impact on the successful management of multicultural teams is highlighted.

Author: Patrick Hilbrecht
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3346162923
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 18

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Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject Business economics - Corporate communication, grade: 2,0, University of applied sciences, Bremen, language: English, abstract: This term paper aims to point out where the challenges of intercultural teams lie and how these can be met accordingly. The problem is going to be approached by using the management’s perspective. Firstly, there will be explained how culture can be defined. Next to that, possible cultural differences will be explained by making use of Hofstede ́s Five Cultural Dimensions. Through this there shall be outlined where potential fields of conflict can lie between different cultures. Hereafter, the term paper is going to point out, where the benefits of an intercultural team lie, in order to generate a better understanding of the necessity to develop appropriate management competencies. Next to that, potential fields of conflict will be explained that exist in an intercultural team and that ought to be prevented. Therefore the critical success factors of an intercultural team will be outlined with special focus on the role of the team leader of an intercultural team. Due to globalisation companies nowadays find themselves in an international working environment. This is the fact considering business relationships with external partners, but the internationalization can also be found within the companies. The working environment is not only characterized though a higher complexity but also through international and intercultural teams. On the one hand, this circumstance holds many potentials from which a company can benefit. On the other hand, it can also be challenging though, as management can also be confronted with problems arising from a clash of cultures in multinational teams. The potential for conflict can lie in the different understandings of morals and values, but also in communication problems. In order to meet these challenges, intercultural competencies have become an important skill for team leaders in companies that operate internationally.

Author: Alex Matveev
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319457012
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 203

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Book Description
This book addresses one of the most critical issues facing global business leaders and the multicultural workforce – how to work and relate effectively in the intercultural contexts. The author presents business professionals, practitioners and academics with the Collaborative Intercultural Competence Model. Based on solid theoretical assumptions and real intercultural experiences, this model is to help professionals work more effectively across and within cultures. This book expands the traditional presentation of existing knowledge by providing a unified discussion of intercultural communication and its conceptual foundations. The book offers readers with a contemporary insight into the intercultural competence phenomenon and highlights the basis for its experience-based inquiry, assessment and development. A distinctive feature of Intercultural Competence in Organizations is its comprehensive coverage of the intercultural competence framework from both communication and organizational behavior perspectives. This book does not cover traditional areas of international business, international management, global management strategy and policy and cross-cultural comparative management, but focuses on theoretical foundations of intercultural competence and intercultural competence research and practice. The author describes the complex nature of intercultural competence in a straightforward format which helps professionals, practitioners and students to envision a variety of intercultural situations in which they may behave competently. Thus, the conceptual acumen of this title is to understand the premises of intercultural competence, embrace its theoretical assumptions, see its practical applicability, and advance individual intercultural competence. Featuring examples and skill development exercises, this book will be appealing to professionals, practitioners, students, academics and policy makers in the field of international business, management and communication. “Dr. Matveev challenges his readers to develop their intercultural competence so as to make themselves more effective, more humane and more socially skilled in a world that increasingly involves extensive contact across various groups of people.” --from the Foreword by Richard W. Brislin, University of Hawaii “Dr. Matveev creates an awareness of intercultural competence by exposing the reader to the theoretical concepts and practical tools. Business people and academics will use this book to recognize and leverage the benefits of cultural diversity.” --Berthold Mukuahima, Director of Human Capital, Ohlthaver & List Group, Namibia “Dr. Matveev reveals how intercultural competence of professional multicultural teams helps in achieving corporate competitive advantage and longevity in a challenging globalized world. This book is very useful for managers, scholars and students who want to elevate the efficacy of intercultural relationship in their professional and personal lives.” --Srečko Čebron, Management Board Member, Sava Reinsurance Company, Slovenia /div

Author: Kamal Dean Parhizgar
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135187126
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 528

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Book Description
Resolve cross-cultural communication issues with your business suppliers, customers, and staff! Because of the rapid growth of multinational corporations and the World Wide Web, global interdependence is no longer a matter of ideology or choice, but an inescapable reality. Multicultural Behavior and Global Business Environments teaches managers both practical techniques and theoretical insights for working with people from diverse cultures in home and host countries. Managers who ignore or dismiss cultural differences may find themselves alienating customers and employees, fumbling negotiations, and ultimately losing sales. In contrast, those who are willing to see the world from different perspectives may spot fresh opportunities. Bringing multiple cultures together results in synergy, in which two combined energies multiply and reinforce one another. Multicultural Behavior and Global Business Environments tells you not only how to create synergy, but also how to profit from it. Multicultural Behavior and Global Business Environments offers practical features to help students and managers understand diverse cultures, including: charts, maps, and tables showing specific cultural divergences detailed discussions of relevant theories in psychology, management, and ethics exercises and self-tests clear, skill-based objectives for each chapter definitions of the terms and processes of multiculturalization In the modern world, the key to prosperity--or failure--in the global marketplace is awareness of cultural differences. Multicultural Behavior and Global Business Environments offers a sweeping multidisciplinary inventory of facts, theories, and practical ideas for making multiculturalism work. This comprehensive volume is a crucial resource for every manager who belongs to a multinational organization, as well as students of both domestic and international business, political science, international relations, public administration, and educational administration.