This Applied Management Project (AMP) is written on the topic of Cultural Diversity Issue and its Implications on the Communication over Global Virtual Team (GVT) members. The scope of this report is broad as it will not only outline major challenges faced by virtual teams because of aspect of cultural differences but also investigate that how this challenge could make influence on the effectiveness of GVT. It has been discovered that Global Virtual Team is determined as a collaboration of individuals where each group member interacts through interdependent tasks directed by the common objective and this team works across links that are strengthened through several aspects (communication, information and multimedia technologies). It has been learned from previous case studies on GVT that cultural difference could have positive impact on knowledge sharing as the component of intercultural encounter intends to make tacit and contextual knowledge as explicit. It has been contended that the factor of cultural diversity is useful in developing trust between all involved members. In regard to cross-cultural communication theories, the model proposed by Hofstede (1996) always ranked at the top. This framework is very useful in directing individuals that how should one could distinguish among the characteristics of each other cultures. It has been analysed that there are various challenges (Communication Challenge, Accent & Fluency Challenge, Attitude Challenge, Decision Making Challenge, Lack of Awareness, Inability in Building Social Bonds, Lack of Trust and Lack of Agreement) that could be faced by GVT. In short, it has been predicted that all of these cultural challenges being faced by GVT would impede virtual teams’ capabilities in accomplishing their tasks and projects. From the case study on BakBone Software Inc., It has been observed that despite of certain cross-cultural communication and cultural differences issues BakBone Software Inc. has managed to perform well. And the company attribute such success to the fact that all of team members have interaction with each other on continuous basis. And this has intended them to remain informed about each other strengths and thus results in developing and maintaining great extent of trust. It has been recommended that the company’s managers need to be aware all cultural issues that could cause problem to the communication aspect within Global Virtual Teams.
Table of Contents
Chapter-1: Background Context with Aims & Objectives
1.1. Background Context
1.2. Aims & Objectives
1.2.1. Aims
1.2.2. Objectives
1.3. Research Questions
1.4. Methodology
1.5. AMP Outcomes
Chapter-2: Literature Review
2.1. Definition of Virtual Teams
2.2. Why Global Virtual Teams?
2.2.1. Advantages of Going Global
2.2.2. Advantages of Going Virtual
2.3. What is meant by Cultural Difference?
2.4. What is meant by Intercultural Competence?
2.5. Global Virtual Teams & Intercultural Competence
2.6. Global Virtual Teams & Cultural Diversity
2.7. Cross-Cultural Communication Theories
2.7.1. Hierarchy
2.7.2. Ambiguity
2.7.3. Individualism
2.7.4. Achievement Orientation
2.7.5. Long term Orientation
2.8. Cultural Challenges faced by Global Virtual Teams (GVT)
2.8.1. Communication Challenge
2.8.2. Accent & Fluency Challenge
2.8.3. Attitude Challenge
2.8.4. Decision Making Challenge
2.8.5. Lack of Awareness
2.8.6. Inability in Building Social Bonds
2.8.7. Lack of Trust
2.8.8. Lack of Agreement
2.9. Language Commonality
Chapter-3: Case Study, Analysis & Discussion
3.1. Case Study on BakBone Software
3.1.1. Company Profile
3.1.2. Motivation behind the Adoption of Virtual Team
3.1.3. Cross-Cultural Communication
3.1.3. Cultural Difference
3.1.4. Performance Evaluation
3.1.5. Findings
3.2. Analysis
3.3. Discussion
Chapter-4: Conclusion & Recommendations
4.1. Conclusion
4.2. Recommendations
Chapter-5: References
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This project investigates the impact of cultural diversity and language differences on the communication effectiveness within Global Virtual Teams (GVT), seeking to provide insights for management to overcome associated challenges and improve team performance.
- Identification of cultural differences within GVT members.
- Analysis of frequent cultural challenges in a global virtual environment.
- Application of cross-cultural communication theories to understand the role of culture in GVT.
- Evaluation of the influence of common languages on GVT effectiveness.
- Investigation of practical mitigation strategies through a case study of BakBone Software Inc.
Excerpt from the Book
2.8. Cultural Challenges faced by Global Virtual Teams (GVT)
Despite of large number of benefits, it has been observed that GVT are subject to certain cultural challenges. All of these challenges are described below:
2.8.1. Communication Challenge
Communication is always consider as significant aspect in human activities. In relation to GVT, communication challenges frequently make impact on the effectiveness of virtual teams in the form of reducing the sharing of information and arising of interpersonal conflicts (Pauleen, 2004). It is evident that GVT adopts clear or direct communication approach especially for the purpose of organising group meeting. And this approach is considered as western approach. But on the other hand, it has been determined that team members from high context cultures most of the time prefer to go for indirect communication mode. They do thing by asking questions instead of making direct point during project or collaboration meetings. Moreover, if there would be a case that the team members failed to understand such communication then the differing team members could preceive it as a voilation of their cultural ethics & norms and it would smear the relationship and collaboration exists among the team members (Nemiro et al., 2008).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter-1: Background Context with Aims & Objectives: Introduces the research scope regarding cultural diversity in GVT, defines project goals, and outlines the methodology adopted for the study.
Chapter-2: Literature Review: Provides a theoretical foundation by defining virtual teams and exploring cross-cultural communication theories, including Hofstede’s framework and specific cultural challenges.
Chapter-3: Case Study, Analysis & Discussion: Examines BakBone Software Inc. to analyze real-world applications of virtual teaming and evaluates the link between theoretical challenges and practical management solutions.
Chapter-4: Conclusion & Recommendations: Summarizes the key findings of the research and proposes managerial strategies to enhance the effectiveness of Global Virtual Teams.
Chapter-5: References: A comprehensive list of academic sources and literature utilized throughout the research project.
Keywords
Global Virtual Teams, Cultural Diversity, Intercultural Competence, Cross-Cultural Communication, Hofstede's Framework, Knowledge Sharing, Team Effectiveness, Communication Challenges, Language Commonality, Virtual Management, Trust, Conflict Resolution, BakBone Software, Business Research, Team Performance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this project?
The project primarily examines how cultural diversity and language differences affect communication and overall effectiveness within Global Virtual Teams.
What are the core thematic areas covered in the report?
The report covers defining virtual teams, analyzing cultural communication challenges, exploring cross-cultural theories, and understanding the role of language commonality in virtual settings.
What is the main objective of the research?
The core objective is to analyze the influence of cultural diversity on GVT communication and identify strategies that managers can use to mitigate these challenges.
What methodology does the author use?
The study adopts a secondary data approach using a case study method, guided by a positivist philosophy and deductive reasoning to examine existing theories.
What is addressed in the main part of the report?
The main part encompasses a comprehensive literature review followed by an in-depth case study of BakBone Software Inc., which is then analyzed to provide actionable recommendations.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Global Virtual Teams, Cultural Diversity, Cross-Cultural Communication, Hofstede's Model, and Team Effectiveness.
How does the author define the impact of cultural diversity on GVT?
The author argues that while cultural diversity can create challenges in communication and trust, it can also positively impact knowledge sharing if properly managed.
What specific issue did the BakBone Software case study reveal?
The case study highlighted communication hesitancy among Japanese team members due to language concerns and scheduling conflicts involving Israeli team members, both of which required specific management interventions.
What is the role of Hofstede's model in this report?
Hofstede’s cultural dimensions serve as a critical framework for understanding how different cultural traits influence team member behavior and potential misunderstandings within global virtual teams.
- Citar trabajo
- Junaid Javaid (Autor), 2014, Virtual Teams & Project Management, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/280881
