UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES OF MULTICULTURAL TEAM MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Purpose- This study aims to explore the challenges confronted by executive managers while managing multicultural teams, and the solutions they deliver to cope with these matters. What is aimed to accomplish is to comprehend these challenges from the standpoint of managers. While trying to understand the problems and exhortations related to multicultural team management, culture and core cultural dimensions were utilized in the study.

Methodology- Criterion sampling method, which is a kind of purposive sampling method, was employed in the study. The data for the study was collected through 14 in-depth interviews directed to executive managers of MNCs operating in Turkey. The questions that generate our data consist of open-ended questions. The statements of managers were analyzed by content analysis and sorted into corresponding categories. These categories and solutions based upon manager’s experiences were presented accordingly.

Findings- Implications indicate that most frequently confronted challenges are ineffective communication and misunderstandings, different working styles and expectations of group members, and intolerance and lack of knowledge related to diversity. On the other hand, in order to cope with these challenges, managers state that it is significant to embrace diversity and encourage group members to acknowledge it as well as become approachable and eager to learn more. Last but not least communicating in the simplest form has been accentuated.

Conclusion- To sum up briefly, successful managers are expected to possess the competency to adapt different management styles and they are also expected to be flexible enough to switch from one to another.

Keywords

• Multicultural teams,core cultural dimensions,cross-cultural management,international business,multinational companies

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