A gestão de equipes virtuais de projetos globais passa pelas áreas de conhecimento da gestão de projetos tradicional e, por outro lado, demanda maior atenção em alguns aspectos, como a comunicação, Em equipes virtuais, o processo de comunicação torna-se bastante crítico, à medida que alguns dos recursos tradicionais de comunicação em projetos (reuniões face-aface, comunicação não-verbal, visualização do trabalho in loco, dentre outros) passam a ser limitados e substituídos por outros baseados em tecnologia (teleconferências, e-mails, chats, etc.), Além disso, é freqüente que em projetos globais a composição das equipes não seja homogênea e contemple membros provenientes de diferentes culturas. Esse trabalho estuda o processo de comunicação como uma variável crítica de sucesso em equipes virtuais de projetos globais, analisando como esse processo é afetado por diferenças culturais entre os membros das equipes. Um survey sobre percepção de ferramentas de comunicação virtual e suas características é respondido por um grupo de americanos e um grupo de brasileiros e as diferenças encontradas são analisado à luz das diferenças de cultura nacional. Constata-se através dos resultados do survey que diferenças significativas estão presentes na percepção que os dois grupos apresentam quanto às ferramentas de comunicação virtual, de forma coerente com seus traços culturais. / The management of global projects\' virtual teams comprehends the knowledge areas of the traditional project management but, on the other hand, demands closer attention to some aspects like communication. In virtual teams, the communication process becomes even more critical as some of the traditional resources of communication in projects such as face-theface meetings , non-verbal communication, visualization of the work in place and others, become limited and need to be replaced by other methods based on technology (teleconference, e-mail, chat, etc.), Moreover, it is frequent that in global projects the composition of the teams is not homogeneous and encompasses members from different cultures. This research studies the communication process as a critical success factor in global projects virtual teams, analyzing how this process is affected by cultural differences between the members of the teams. One survey about the perception of virtual communication tools and its characteristics is answered by a group of Americans and a group of Brazilians and the differences found are analyzed from the point of view of differences in the national cultures. From the surveys results it can be seen that there are significant differences between the perceptions of the groups about the virtual communication tools, according to

Submitted by Alisson Mota (alisson.davidbeckam@gmail.com) on 2015-06-18T20:51:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Fábio Alves Gomes.pdf: 942664 bytes, checksum: 1d25a06691c4262c5e87aad1f0e3d07d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-06T17:57:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Fábio Alves Gomes.pdf: 942664 bytes, checksum: 1d25a06691c4262c5e87aad1f0e3d07d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-06T18:00:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Fábio Alves Gomes.pdf: 942664 bytes, checksum: 1d25a06691c4262c5e87aad1f0e3d07d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-06T18:00:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Fábio Alves Gomes.pdf: 942664 bytes, checksum: 1d25a06691c4262c5e87aad1f0e3d07d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-04 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The present study aimed to investigate the construction of meanings for an urban school teachers about the cultural differences. There is also the meanings attributed by teachers to cultural differences, identifying how the meanings attributed to cultural differences or not interfere in the organization of educational work and analyzing the reflections of intercultural relations at school studied considering the cultural dimension as a fundamental aspect human development. It proposes a reflection of this phenomenon contextualized searching through a critical analysis, theoretical-methodological approaches committed to the empowerment and inclusion of minorities, pointing ideological and historical aspects surrounding the topic of cultural differences. Methodologically, we chose to search for inspiration ethnographic literature and qualitative approach. However, not exhausted the discussion on this research, however, revealed by empirical data convince us of the importance of research into the topic of diversity in schools to guide public policies effectively inclusive. Therefore, this study lifted their goals by considering the construction of meanings of teachers on the topic as an important starting point for understanding the dynamics of intercultural processes in school. We conclude that the challenge to be achieved by minorities is the experience in the daily life of schools, a curriculum that encourages the strengthening of respect for differences and identities. / A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar a construção dos significados atribuídos por docentes de uma escola urbana acerca das diferenças culturais. Verificaram-se também os sentidos atribuídos pelos docentes às diferenças culturais, identificando de que maneira os significados atribuído interferem ou não, na organização do trabalho pedagógico e, analisando os reflexos das relações interculturais na escola pesquisada, considerando a dimensão cultural como aspecto fundamental do desenvolvimento humano. Propõe uma reflexão contextualizada desse fenômeno, buscando, através de uma análise crítica, aproximações teórico-metodológicas comprometidas com a emancipação e inserção das minorias, apontando aspectos históricos e ideológicos que envolvem o tema diferenças culturais. Metodologicamente, optou-se pela pesquisa de inspiração etnográfica e bibliográfica de abordagem qualitativa. Contudo, não se esgotou a discussão nesta pesquisa, pelo contrário, os dados revelados pela empiria, convencem-nos da relevância de pesquisas dentro da temática da diversidade em escolas para orientar políticas públicas efetivamente inclusivas. Portanto, o presente estudo alçou seus objetivos ao considerar a construção dos significados dos docentes sobre o tema, como um ponto de partida importante para compreensão da dinâmica dos processos interculturais na escola. Conclui-se que o desafio a ser alcançado pelas minorias é a vivência, no cotidiano das escolas, de um currículo que favoreça o fortalecimento das identidades e o respeito às diferenças.

This research investigates the moderating effect of cultural differences between countries on the relationship between tenure and analyst accuracy. To investigate this research looks at the expected earnings per shares and the realised earnings per share from the shares included into the AEX, CAC, DAX and FTSE. The dataset consists of 466 analysts and 3.040 observations. The time period observed is 2015, 2016 and 2017. This research shows that there is no significant relationship between tenure and analyst accuracy. The results show that masculinity, individualism and long term orientation have a moderating effect on analyst accuracy. A practical implication is that managers could employ methods to change the work culture to increase analyst accuracy. An academic implication of this research is that culture should be included as a moderating factor in future analyst accuracy research.

Self-assessment as a placement measure or accurate assessment of skill has been scrutinized in previous research. Findings have shown a general human tendency towards overconfidence in performance (Kruger & Dunning, 1999). This study looks at performance self-appraisals in an ESL population, with participants from varying cultural backgrounds. Performance self-appraisal calibration is a measure of the relationship between an examinee's perceived skill (or confidence) and their actual skill (or ability) on a given exam item (Phakiti, 2016). Being well-calibrated is an indication that test takers know their strengths and weaknesses and thus the difference between confidence and ability is minimal, whereas poorly calibrated examinees may be oblivious to their weaknesses. While some research has explored self-appraisal calibration in first language (Hassmén & Hunt, 1994; Gutierrez & Schraw, 2015; Stankov & Lee, 2014) and foreign language contexts (Bastola, 2016; Phakiti, 2016), the language research has been limited to the performance of native language speakers on norm-referenced tests. It still needs to be determined how test takers would perform on a criterion-referenced exam with items of differing difficulty parameters administered to examinees from different language backgrounds. To that end, a proficiency-based criterion-referenced reading comprehension test was administered to 96 ESL students with 8 different language backgrounds. To measure confidence, a pre- and post-test questionnaire was administered in addition to a confidence slider bar that was embedded into each test item. We investigated correlations between cultural background and item difficulty on the students' self-appraisal calibrations. Our results showed that ESL students were overconfident in their self-calibrations, and their overconfidence was more pronounced as item difficulty increased. There were significant differences based on native language background. Implications will be discussed.

The purpose and aim of this study are to examine how quality control and assurance is performed and how it varies in different regions around the world and strive towards international standardization of quality assurance. The foundation to the idea of this study is a Swedish company, called Runway Safe, working with international affairs regarding a safety solution for airport runways. To complete the study, cultural differences and structural differences in organizations comes to consideration.

The research recorded in this thesis examined the experience of eight foreign teachers who have taken up residence in China as teachers of oral English language. The study grew out of my reflections on my own challenging, yet rewarding, journey as an international student in New Zealand, and aimed to investigate and unfold the reality of foreigners living and working experience under the influence of traditional Chinese culture, specifically in Pan Yu district, Guang Zhou City, Guang Dong Province. I was interested to find the cultural differences that the teachers struggled to accept or understand. I wondered whether the foreign teachers would reshape their personal beliefs and values, especially about teaching, because of the cultural differences they encountered in China. A sample of eight foreign teachers, from Australia, America, Canada and New Zealand, took part in semi-structured interviews in which I hoped to capture critical incidents in their inter-cultural experience. I was also able to undertake two observations of classroom practice. The data collected was then analysed using Boyatzis' (1998) system of thematic analysis. The research found that participants had similar experiences during their residence in China. For instance, the majority of participants showed a long period of cultural adoption and they all defined their experience as challenging. All participants refused to reshape their moral beliefs about teaching in response to traditional Chinese culture, but that they all, to some extent, eventually adjusted to a Chinese way of thinking. However, issues that direct connected to their own cultural heritage remained unchanged. An interpretation of the findings was that perhaps, on one hand, while the environment and cultural difference initiated various forms of difficulties, on the other hand, participants are trying to reset their personal limits. Most likely, their desire to introduce their Chinese students to a different style of learning convinced them to hold on to personal beliefs about effective teaching and learning, hoping to pass this on to a new generation of Chinese. My research, however, focused on only very small proportion of foreign teachers in China. Further research should be pursued with an expanded focus, to find the potential of the implementation of cultural awareness programmes and support groups for foreigner.

<p>Stress hör till vårdpersonalens vardag och talangen att hantera stress är en lämplig egenskap för ett bra vårdarbete. Undersökningens syfte var att beskriva hur utländska läkare upplever stress på arbetsplasten i sammanhang med språkbarriärer, kommunikationssvårigheter och kulturskillnader samt hur dessa svårigheter påverkade deras arbetsförande och privatlivet. Via sju intervjuer granskades läkares tankar, kunskaper och upplevelser och resultatet visade att dålig kommunikation och okunskap från patienter och kollegor hade en negativ påverkan på stressnivån i arbetet. Medan otillräckliga språkkunskaper i svenska uppfattades som ett stort hinder av informanterna. Resultatet visade även att socialt stöd och hjälp från kollegor och ansvariga chefer saknades vilket påverkade informanternas privatliv i form av försämrat självförtroende och minskad energi under ledig tid. Ett par förslag på förbättring för att minska stressnivån på informanternas arbetsplatser ges i slutet.</p>

<p>Föreningsidrotten ökar men fortfarande är det många ungdomar som inte är tillräckligt fysiskt aktiva. Många undersökningar har gjorts angående motivation hos aktiva idrottare, men forskningen kring vad det är som motiverar ungdomar att börja idrotta är inte alls lika stor. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vilka motivationsfaktorer som skulle få ungdomar att börja idrotta och vad det är som hindrar dem, samt se vilka skillnader och likheter det fanns mellan svenska ungdomars och invandrarungdomars svar. Genom att undersöka vad som skulle få ungdomar att börja idrotta och vad det är som hindrar dem, skulle detta kunna hjälpa idrottsföreningar i hur de ska rekrytera nya medlemmar. Det är också viktigt att undersöka om det är någon skillnad mellan svenska ungdomars och invandrarungdomars motivationsfaktorer och hinder. Enskilda intervjuer gjordes med svenska ungdomar och invandrarungdomar från två olika skolor. Intervjuerna som spelades in på band transkriberades, för att sedan analyseras utifrån en hermeneutisk ansats. Teman i form av inre och yttre motivation, samt inre och yttre hinder togs fram, därefter skapades kategorier utifrån de motivationsfaktorer och hinder som var särskilt betydelsefulla för ungdomarna. Resultatet visade att de faktorer som skulle motivera ungdomarna att börja idrotta var socialt stöd, tidigare positiva erfarenheter av idrott, bättre hälsa, att det var roligt och att de hittade en idrott som passade dem. Det som hindrade dem var tidsbrist, låg grad av self-efficacy, prestationskrav, den sociala miljön, andra preferenser, att det inte var roligt och jobbigt idrotta, samt att de inte hade hittat någon passande idrott. Det kunde inte urskiljas några större skillnader mellan de svenska ungdomarna och invandrarungdomarna, men de svenska ungdomarna motiverades av både inre och yttre faktorer medan invandrarungdomarna endast motiverades av inre faktorer.</p>

<p>Most multicultural teams are not as successful as expected. Germany and Sweden are close trade partners and one form of cooperation are German-Swedish project teams. In this thesis the reader will get answers to the following questions: What are the problems and benefits among German-Swedish project team members due to cultural differences and in which way can problems be coped with and benefits be enhanced. This thesis does not focus on virtual teams, the leadership of multicultural teams and the formation of German-Swedish project teams.</p><p>The main components of the theoretical framework are cultural models which serve as basis for our analysis are Hofstede’s five dimensional model, Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s model and Hall’s model. For our research we interviewed eight members of German-Swedish project teams. We discovered problems among German-Swedish project team members deriving from differences in the communication styles, in the focus on cooperation versus task and in dealing with rules. Beneficial in the German-Swedish collaborations is that the cultures complement each other in focusing on the facts versus broadening the subject and in the focus on team spirit versus goal achievement. Another beneficial characteristic is the similarity of the German and Swedish culture.</p><p>After analysing the problems and benefits due to cultural differences in German-Swedish project teams, we present our concept to reduce the problems in German-Swedish project teams. The concept consists of steps which build up on one another and therefore represent an overall concept which can serve as a basis and inspiration for enhancing the collaboration in German-Swedish project teams. Our concept includes the steps: intercultural training, a mentor system in the team, internal advisors in the company and a cultural evaluation.</p>

<p>Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats är att öka förståelsen för företags internationella etableringsstrategier och titta på vilka möjligheter och hinder som finns i etableringsprocessen.</p><p>Metod: Uppsatsens forskningsstrategi har varit att göra en fallstudie på Kina och en surveyundersökning på svenska företag som idag är representerade på den kinesiska marknaden. Vidare kombinerar studien de två vetenskapliga angreppssätten kvalitativ och kvantitativ ansats. Både primärdata i form av surveyundersökningen och ett seminarium och sekundär data i form av olika litteratur såsom böcker, vetenskapliga artiklar och internet har använts för att knyta samman våra resultat.</p><p>Resultat: Uppsatsen resulterar i att de största möjligheterna som finns för svenska företag på den kinesiska marknaden är att öka sin</p><p>lönsamhet och sänka sina produktionskostnader. De största hindren är lagar och förordningar, kulturella skillnader, tullavgifter, skatter och piratkopiering.</p> / <p>Purpose: The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of</p><p>business-establishing strategies and to examine which opportunities and obstacles the process holds within.</p><p>Method: The investigation strategy used for this essay was to perform a case study on China and a survey at Swedish companies which are currently represented in the Chinese market. The essay combines a qualitative and quantitative approach. Both primary data - in the form of a survey and a seminar - and secondary data - literature found in books, scientific articles and the internet - have been used to achieve our results.</p><p>Results: The result of this essay is: the opportunities on the Chinese market for Swedish companies are to increase profitability and lower production costs. The biggest obstacles are laws and regulations, cultural differences, customs fees, taxes and bootlegging.</p>