CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL TEAMS: A NARRATIVE INQUIRY

Abstract

In this research, global teams, which are becoming increasingly important in the globalizing world, and the problems encountered by these teams have been examined. Global teams facilitate learning, creative idea generation and the development of cultural competencies. In this respect, finding solutions to the problems experienced in global teams is of key importance as it will increase team performance. In this respect, the aim of this research is to discover the problems experienced in global teams through the experiences of team members. In this study, interviews were conducted with global team members using the qualitative research design narrative inquiry. The problems encountered while working in global teams were analyzed and discussed through stories. The use of narrative inquiry, which is rarely used in the management literature, differentiates this research from prior studies on global teams. As a result, it has been found that, different languages and national cultures of team members generally lead to communication difficulties. In addition, it has been found that time differences and geographical distance prevent the feeling of team spirit. Furthermore, the differences in work disciplines and processes in different countries are also found to be important factors leading to conflicts. The solutions proposed by the participants against these problems were discussed by comparing them with the previous studies in the literature. As solutions for the identified problems, participants emphasized the importance of increasing face-to-face meetings, in-company events and meetings, more trainings on company culture and conflict management. In this regard, the authors underlined the importance of increasing face-to-face meetings and social activities, cultivating indulgence and open-mindedness in order to reduce problems in global teams.

Keywords

• Global Teams
• Intercultural Management
• International Management
• Team Management

KÜRESEL EKİPLERDE KARŞILAŞILAN PROBLEMLER: BİR ANLATI ARAŞTIRMASI

Abstract

Bu araştırmada, küreselleşen dünyada önemi gittikçe artan küresel ekipler ve bu ekiplerde karşılaşılan problemler araştırılmıştır. Küresel ekipler, öğrenmeyi, yaratıcı fikirlerin artmasını ve kültürel yetkinliklerin geliştirilmesini kolaylaştırmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, küresel ekiplerde yaşanan sorunlara çözüm üretilmesi, ekip performansının arttırılmasını sağlayacağı için anahtar önem taşımaktadır. Bu doğrultuda bu araştırmanın amacı küresel ekiplerde yaşanan sorunların çalışanların yaşam deneyimleri aracılığıyla keşfedilmesini sağlamaktır. Çalışma kapsamında, nitel araştırma yaklaşımlarından anlatı araştırması deseni kullanılarak küresel ekiplerde çalışan kişilerle görüşme yapılmıştır. Görüşülen kişilerin küresel ekiplerde çalışırken karşılaştıkları problemler, tecrübeleri ve yaşadıkları hikayeler incelenerek tartışılmıştır. Araştırmada işletme literatüründe az sayıda kullanılan anlatı araştırması deseninin kullanılması, araştırmayı küresel ekiplere dair geçmiş araştırmalardan farklılaştırmaktadır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, ekiplerde farklı dil ve kültürün yarattığı iletişim zorluklarının ön plana çıktığı görülmüştür. Buna ek olarak, saat farklılıkları ve coğrafi uzaklığın bütün halinde çalışılmasına engel olarak takım ruhunun hissedilmesini engellediği belirtilmiştir. Ayrıca, farklı ülkelerdeki iş disiplinleri ve iş süreçlerindeki farklılıkların da çatışmalara yol açan önemli bir faktör olduğu saptanmıştır. Bu sorunlara karşı, araştırmaya katılanların önerdikleri çözüm önerileri, literatürdeki geçmiş çalışmalar ile karşılaştırılarak tartışılmıştır. Katılımcılar sorunların azaltılmasında, yüz yüze toplantıların, şirket içi etkinlik ve buluşmaların arttırılmasının, şirket kültürünün benimsenmesi ve çatışmaların yönetilmesi için eğitimlerin arttırılmasının önemini vurgulamışlardır. Bu doğrultuda yazarlar küresel ekiplerde sorunların azaltılması için yüz yüze görüşme ve sosyal etkinliklerin arttırılmasının, farklılıklara karşı anlayış ve açık fikirliliğin öneminin altını çizmiştir.

Keywords

• Küresel Ekipler
• Kültürlerarası Yönetim
• Uluslararası Yönetim
• Ekip Yönetimi

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