Addressing cross-cultural teamwork barriers

Abstract

This study explores cultural factors affecting international team dynamics and the implications for industry practice and higher education. Despite decades of studying and experience with cultural diversity, international work groups continue to be challenged by ethnocentrism and prejudices. Central to the context is that cultural differences in international teamwork result in a dynamic push–pull tension between seemingly contradictory forces: the diversity of the team members and the desired unity of the team’s purpose and activities. Thus there is a critical demand for increased intercultural competence for industry practitioners and higher education students. Recommendations for improving international teamwork dynamics and implications for higher education curricula are offered.