Navigating Diversity: Exploring the Impact of Multicultural Composition
Brown, Joshua (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024121937431
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024121937431
Tiivistelmä
This thesis investigates the challenges, potential benefits and strategies for improving collaboration among multicultural teams in professional environments. The study contributes to an understanding of organisations operating in increasingly globalised contexts and is of particular relevance for team leaders and human resource departments. Theoretical and practical applications of this research address how different cultural backgrounds affect communication, teamwork and leadership.
The development task entailed identifying key factors that influence the performance of multicultural teams and making recommendations to improve performance. Frameworks addressing cultural diversity, team dynamics and leadership were used as the basis of the study. These frameworks helped with the exploration of communication barriers, cultural sensitivity, and the role of leadership.
Qualitative methods were used, with interviews conducted with three industry professionals. Recurring patterns and unique insights in data were identified through thematic analysis.
Findings highlighted that communication challenges, including language barriers and cultural misinterpretations, were obstacles in the path of multicultural team success. Cultural sensitivity and proactive leadership were identified as key factors for collaborative success. Although diversity promotes creativity and innovation, its effects are varied across industries. The research identified a need for further studies examining how industry-specific contexts affect the dynamics and effectiveness of multicultural teams. Communication training, team-building activities and leadership development programs are recommended for addressing diversity challenges.
The development task entailed identifying key factors that influence the performance of multicultural teams and making recommendations to improve performance. Frameworks addressing cultural diversity, team dynamics and leadership were used as the basis of the study. These frameworks helped with the exploration of communication barriers, cultural sensitivity, and the role of leadership.
Qualitative methods were used, with interviews conducted with three industry professionals. Recurring patterns and unique insights in data were identified through thematic analysis.
Findings highlighted that communication challenges, including language barriers and cultural misinterpretations, were obstacles in the path of multicultural team success. Cultural sensitivity and proactive leadership were identified as key factors for collaborative success. Although diversity promotes creativity and innovation, its effects are varied across industries. The research identified a need for further studies examining how industry-specific contexts affect the dynamics and effectiveness of multicultural teams. Communication training, team-building activities and leadership development programs are recommended for addressing diversity challenges.