ABSTRACT
This paper analyses the relationship between cultural diversity and workgroup outcomes (satisfaction with workgroup, and workgroup performance) in multicultural organizations, in the presence of moderating variables of intragroup conflicts (task, relationship and process conflicts). Literature review suggests that cultural diversity negatively affects workgroup outcomes and triggers conflicts. Analysis of empirical data collected from employees of multicultural organizations produces results in line with the literature and suggests that there is negative relationship between cultural diversity and workgroup outcomes, while intragroup conflicts have a strong moderating effect on the relationship between the two. Although the research implies that culturally homogenous groups have better outcomes, it is often impossible to assemble such groups in current corporate scenario. Therefore, targeted cross-cultural training programs may help individuals function well in culturally diverse groups by reducing conflicts and generating favorable group outcomes.
INTRODUCTION
Organizations often rely on culturally diverse groups to coordinate operations across countries, decrease redundant functions, reduce product development time and bring together a diverse pool of expertise. Culturally diverse groups, however, may not live up to these expectations. Individual differences give rise to intra-group conflicts which hinder the group’s performance as well as the group members’ satisfaction with the group. The fact that homogenous groups hardly exist and heterogeneous workgroups are the need of today’s organizations, it is pertinent to analyze the element of conflict among members of a group and its effect on the group’s performance outcomes.
Pakistan, with its strategic geographical location and multicultural society, has been an interesting target for various international organizations that invest in this market and set up operations. These multinational organizations are bound to practice multicultural managements for effective operations (Islam, 2004). Local employees in such organizations are expected to work with people belonging to diverse nationalities who bring with them to the workplace, distinct cultures that effect outcomes of their workgroups. Another perspective of multiculturalism in Pakistani organizations is the presence of ethnic, gender based, religious, sectarian and geographical differences that affect relationships among people working in the same organization. It may be explained by the fact that women tend to face differential treatment at workplaces. People from different provinces in Pakistan generally differ in their attitudes and behaviors. Muslims tend to have a biased attitude towards non-Muslims, and sectarian differences cause major conflicts of interests (Zubair, 2006).
The current study tends to focus on such cross-cultural conflicts that affect workgroup outcomes at workplaces. The study is conducted in Pakistani setting upon national and international organizations.
In the research of Organizational behavior and Organizational development Science, there is not much of research has been done regarding the matter of moral dilemmas in multicultural organizations and the double standards that are set on minority experts in the work environment. The research that is accessible is overwhelmingly fixated regarding the matter of diversity. While both of these issues are related with diversity , the distinction between the two organizational dilemmas fall under there own denomination.
Riaz, M. & Junaid, F. (2011). Types, Sources, Cost and Consequences of Workplace Conflicts. Asian Journal of Management Research. 2(1), 600-611.
As the processes and systems used in business have become more complex, teams, not individuals, have become popular in many organizations. Teams are made up of individuals from an organization brought together to solve a problem, improve a process or implement a new process. “A major advantage that a team has over an individual is its diversity of resources and ideas” (Burns, 1995, p. 52). However, this diversity can cause conflict within the team. The success of the team is strongly influenced by the team’s ability to recognize the causes of, manage and resolve conflict.
This research report is based on the article "Toward a Theory of Conflict and Culture" taken from the book Communication, Culture, and Organizational Processes. In this article, Stella Ting-Toomey talks about culture and conflict and its relation to low- and high-context cultures.
The purpose of creating teams is to solve a problem or issue through the use of diverse ideas and solutions. There are many times in life, whether at work or at school that one will encounter a diverse mix of personalities. Workplace diversity is everywhere, from the small corner business to the fortune 500 company, and is one of the most important challenges facing companies today. This mix of diverse personalities, gender, race, experience, and culture is what makes a team successful. This is an example of a heterogeneous team. On the other hand, a team with the same make-up, or homogeneous, has limitations on creativity, viewpoints and ideas. This paper will look at cultural diversity and demographic characteristics, specifically age, gender, expertise/ experience and how each plays an integral part in the construction of a high performance team.
People work in groups or teams everyday whether in their career, education, political organization, church, or any other social setting. Conflict while working in teams or groups is inevitable. When taking people of different backgrounds, personalities, moral, and ethical beliefs and putting them together in a group, conflict will arise. The key to achieving your team goals is to construct and conquer your goals with keeping the greater good of the team in mind. Conflict as it arises should be combated and abated through swift and thorough resolution techniques. When dealt with properly conflict resolution can give rise to a cohesive and productive team.
Many people enjoy working or participating in a group or team, but when a group of people work together chances are that conflicts will occur. Hazleton describes conflict as the discrepancy between what is the perceived reality and what is seen as ideal (2007). “We enter into conflicts reluctantly, cautiously, angrily, nervously, confidently- and emerge from them battered, exhausted, sad, satisfied, triumphant. And still many of us underestimate or overlook the merits of conflict- the opportunity conflict offers every time it occurs” (Schilling, nd.). Conflict does not have to lead to a hostile environment or to broken relationships. Conflict if resolved effectively can lead to a positive experience for everyone involved. First, there must be an understanding of the reasons why conflicts occur. The conflict must be approached with an open mind. Using specific strategies can lead to a successful resolution for all parties involved. The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument states “there are five general approaches to dealing with conflict. The five approaches are avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration. Conflict resolution is situational and no one approach provides the best or right approach for all circumstances” (Thomas, 2000).
A group can only be called a team if the members are actively working together toward a common goal. A team must have the capability to set goals, make decisions, solve problems, and share responsibilities. For a team to be successful, trust must be earned between its members by being consistent and reliable (Temme & Katzel, 2005). When more than one person is working on a particular task, inconsistent views or opinions commonly arise. People come from different backgrounds and live through different life experiences therefore, even when working towards a common goal, they will not always see eye to eye. Major conflict that is not dealt with can devastate a team or organization (Make Conflict Work, 2008). In some situations, conflict can be more constructive than destructive. Recognizing the difference between conflict that is constructive to the team and conflict that is destructive to the team is important. Trying to prevent the conflict is not always the best way to manage conflict when working within a team setting. Understanding conflict, what causes it, and how to resolve conflict effectively, should consume full concentration.
Brett, J., Behfar, K. & Kern, M. (2006) ‘Managing multicultural teams’, Harvard Business Review, 84 (11), pp.84-91, Business Source Premier [online].
For the purpose of this paper, I will define what the term Diversity means, and then I will concentrate on the diversity as a result of geographic origin or ethnic diversity. I will look at how ethnic diversity is managed generally and then how my employer, deals with the diverse ethnic groups in its organization and what it needs to improve on.
It is very common that conflicts arise within teams and this likelihood increase in a diverse group. Different backgrounds, values, beliefs, race and age trigger differences in a diverse group, if these differences are not mediated on time or prevented the performance of the job and deadlines could be jeopardized. In this case, a diverse team is working on a project called the monitor project for a health care client. The team is composed of six team members who came from different backgrounds. With thirty days from the deadline, conflict has arisen between the last two members who joined the team, Darius a 32 year old man, now a U.S. citizen, who came to the United States from Iran ten years ago; and Harpreet a 30 year old woman who came to
The purpose of this paper is to explain how a group can become a high-performance team. The purpose is also to examine the impact of demographic characteristics and cultural diversity on group behavior. This paper will illustrate how demographic characteristics and cultural diversity contribute to or detract from high-performance teams.
In today’s globalized world, multicultural teams accomplish a significant proportion of organizational work. Multicultural teams are formed because they improve organizational effectiveness in the global business environment. As such, multicultural teams offer huge potential to organizations. The most critical and practical challenge multicultural teams face is managing conflicts across members’ national cultural boundaries. Other cultural challenges in multicultural teams include dealing with coordination and control issues, maintaining communication richness, and developing and maintaining team cohesiveness. For multicultural teams to be effective, members must learn to address the challenges that arise from team members’ differing nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
The world's increasing globalization requires more interaction among people from diverse cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds than ever before. People no longer live and work in an insular marketplace; they are now part of a worldwide economy with competition coming from nearly every continent. For this reason, profit and non-profit organizations need diversity to become more creative and open to change. Maximizing and capitalizing on workplace diversity has become an important issue for management today (UCSF).
(Asawo, 2011). Conflict can occur in any setting and as leaders in organizations guide and