The phenomenon being explored in this study was the understanding of minority clients' perceptions in relation to their rehabilitation counselors' cultural competence. A descriptive qualitative research methodology consisting of eight participants was used. Hycner's (1985) phenomenological analysis was used to investigate the in-depth interviews. The investigation revealed seven different themes that comprised of the essence of the phenomenon. The themes include: clients' understanding of the term cultural competence, self, attitudes, advocacy, understanding culture is important, role of culture, and expectations from the agency. The invariant structure that was consistent through all the above mentioned themes was the representation and manifestations of culture in the lives of the clients that continually challenged rehabilitation counselors' cultural competence through different phases of the vocational rehabilitation counseling experiences. The essence behind cultural competence was - perceiving the phenomenon as an experiential relationship based concept, where the client and the rehabilitation counselor educate one another about the all inclusive nature of the term culture and its role in the vocational rehabilitation process.

Speech-language pathology programs utilize short-term study abroad programs to enhance students’ cultural competence. Yet, an investigation of how study abroad impacts students' cultural competence does not exist. This study’s purpose was to investigate the effects of a study abroad program in Mexico on the cultural competence of SLP master's students. A two group, pre/post mixed methods quasi-experimental design was used. Participants included a treatment and control group. Pre/post-trip surveys and semi-structured interviews were completed and analyzed for differences in cultural competence between groups and for growth in cultural competence for the treatment group from pre- to post-trip. Findings indicated that the treatment group demonstrated gains across all components of cultural competence, and had significantly higher post-trip cultural confidence as compared to the control group. Gains in the treatment group’s cultural competence were influenced by gains in cultural and general professional skills and cultural interactions. Implications for the discipline are discussed.

abstract: The number of interracial marriages and multiracial individuals continues to increase rapidly in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Black Female (BF) /White Male (WM) marriages are increasing, but not as quickly as other interracial marriages (Wang, 2012) leaving this population void in social science literature available to social workers. Consequently, there is a lack of information available to understand factors that contribute to these couple identities and how they navigate in the monoracialized systems they encounter. This qualitative study explored how BF/WM partners married in different generational cohorts experience and navigate race and identity as a couple through video recorded interviews where couples shared their narrative as a dyad. The secondary data analyzed was originally collected through snowball and convenient sampling to find BF/WM married couples that were married different generational cohorts living in the Phoenix area. Couples were asked to respond to starter questions (Linhorst, 2002) that encouraged them to share experiences as a couple interacting with community, social, and family systems. Ecological systems framework and social construction were used to guide analysis. Results from the multimodal transcript analysis and detailed review of the video data found themes of invisibility of the couples' relationships from community and family. Differences between cohorts were identified with movement from separation of racial identities within the couple identity to an infusion of both identities represented within the couple. Additionally, insights into the benefits of videography as a data collection method and its usefulness in to connecting social work research to practice were identified and align with the NASW Cultural Competence standards (NASW, 2001). / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Social Work 2014

The rapid rate of globalisation is changing the face of the business environment. Not only do managers have to deal with challenges such as multiple time zones and geographically divergent locations, but they must also increasingly operate in culturally diverse environments and work with employees from various cultural backgrounds. The importance of culture in the workplace is often neglected, and this may have a negative impact on the overall success of organisations. Cultural Intelligence is a facet of intelligence that describes the success with which individuals such as managers are able to deal with people from different cultural backgrounds. By exploring the degree of Cultural Intelligence of a management corps, it is possible to address the training needs in a given organisation in order to optimise the performance and productivity of a team. It was apparent that, because Cultural Intelligence as a concept is a relatively new and unexplored notion, there was an urgent need for further exploration in this field. The purpose of this study was therefore to compare two groups of managers, one from South Africa and one from the Netherlands, in terms of their levels of Cultural Intelligence and to explore the generalisability of a Cultural Intelligence measurement instrument across cultures. The Cultural Intelligence Questionnaire was administered to the two groups under review and the results were subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA), chi-square testing and independent t-tests. Various iterations of the exploratory factor analysis indicated that the primary components of Cultural Intelligence, namely Motivation, Behaviour and Cognition, were present in both groups. Independent t-tests showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of their levels of Cultural Intelligence. Both groups had high scores on Factor 1: Cultural Identity (related to the behavioural component of Cultural Intelligence) and Factor 3: Willingness to Learn about Different Cultures (related to the meta-cognitive component of Cultural Intelligence), and both groups had moderately high scores on Factor 2: Adaptability to a Multi-Cultural Setting (related to the motivational component of Cultural Intelligence). A high level of reliability for the instrument was established for both groups with a Cronbach alpha of 0.85 for the sample from the Netherlands and a Cronbach alpha of 0.75 for the South African sample. Exploratory factor analysis yielded similar factor loadings for 22 of the 24 items that were included in the final factor analysis. The exploratory research conducted in this study has contributed to the refinement and expansion of Cultural Intelligence theory. The instrument that was used for assessment can be a useful tool in selecting and developing managers to work with multi-cultural groups. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Human Resource Management / MCom / Unrestricted

As more Swedish companies are turning towards China, a common challenge when establishing sustainable business relationships with Chinese companies is the requirement to spend a lot of time locally, as the Chinese business culture usually focuses on building a personal relationship before the business relationship. This study will focus on the Swedish perspective on how to cope with these challenges from a geographical distance, as the authors seek to facilitate Swedish business in China. Through a qualitative research by interviewing eight Swedish managers, the authors found that there are different perceived challenges if the business relationship was established on site versus established from a distance. This study shows that for managers who lacks the resources to establish the business relationship on site, there is a lack of trust, respect and potential misunderstandings. These challenges can be overcomed by using a distributor or an agent for a fee. For the managers that possessed the resources to establish the relationship on site, other challenges appeared such as Guanxi and cross-cultural competence, but by paying attention to these challenges the managers could achieve trust, respect and avoid misunderstandings. These managers also needed an occasional local presence in order to manage the business relationship, which was due to Guanxi and that China is a high-context culture.

Foreign companies operating in developing countries are losing competitive advantage due to local workforce policies and restrictions that governments issue to foster the development of indigenous businesses and people. Maintaining a competitive advantage is essential to foreign business owners long term sustainability. Based on Argyris and Schön's organizational learning theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies foreign company managers use to achieve profitable business performance while satisfying local workforce policy requirements. The population comprised of 5 foreign managers who implemented effective strategies to increase the profitability of their company while meeting local content requirements in Kazakhstan. The data collection process included semistructured interviews and review of company documentation and artifacts. Through thematic analysis, the following primary themes emerged: training of local personnel, cultural and communication competence, and personnel retention. The implications for positive social change include the potential for foreign managers who want to develop business in developing countries to become them profitable. Leaders of profitable businesses can create positive social change by increasing employment opportunities for local personnel and enhancing the social welfare of local communities.

Actualmente, existe un mercado con mayor demanda en el ámbito de la traducción en Perú. En consecuencia, diversos traductores laboran diariamente en este; no obstante, algunos no elaboran un producto final de calidad porque no todos llegan a desarrollar las habilidades que requiere un traductor profesional. Desde esta cuestión, es importante que un estudiante de traducción adquiera la competencia cultural, que forma parte de la competencia traductora, durante su formación profesional. Por ello, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo central explorar las percepciones en común de los docentes traductores o intérpretes de la carrera de Traducción e Interpretación Profesional de la Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), sobre el rol de la enseñanza de la cultura extranjera en los estudiantes. Cabe señalar que no se ha llevado a cabo ninguna investigación de dicha temática en el contexto peruano; sin embargo, existen estudios similares con un enfoque diferente. Esta investigación surge debido a que algunos alumnos no rescatan la importancia de los cursos de Lengua y Cultura en chino, francés, inglés y portugués —lenguas impartidas en la UPC. Para este fin, se recurrió a las entrevistas para explorar las percepciones de los docentes traductores o intérpretes sobre el rol de la enseñanza de la cultura extranjera en la formación de futuros traductores. A partir del análisis, los participantes corroboraron que la competencia cultural es esencial para la formación de los estudiantes. / Nowadays, there is a broad market within the field of Translation in Peru. As a result, many translators work daily in it; nevertheless, some of them cannot assure a final product of good quality because not all of them develop the skills that a professional translator must have. In this regard, it is important that translation students develop cultural competence, which is part of the translation competence, during their professional training. The main purpose of this research is to provide information garnered from teaching translators or interpreters of the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) about the role of teaching the foreign culture to students from the Professional Translation and Interpreting program. It must be pointed out that no research of this subject has taken place in a Peruvian context. However, there are similar studies with a different approach. This research was conducted because some students are not aware of the relevance of Language and Culture courses in Chinese, French, English, and Portuguese—languages taught at UPC. Interviews were used for this purpose to explore teaching translators and interpreters’ perceptions about the role of teaching the foreign culture during the professional training of future translators. Based on an analysis, it was found that cultural competence is essential for the training of students. / Trabajo de suficiencia profesional

Bakgrund: I takt med globaliseringen och migrationen blir Sverige ett alltmer mångkulturellt samhälle, vilket ökar antalet transkulturella vårdmöten inom hälso-och sjukvården. Tidigare forskning visar att sjuksköterskor erfar svårigheter relaterade till patienters kulturella och språkliga bakgrunder. Genom kännedom om och förståelse för hinder och möjligheter kan sjuksköterskor utveckla den kunskap och kompetens som behövs för främjandet av transkulturella vårdmöten. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturöversikten är beskriva sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av transkulturella vårdmöten inom hälso- och sjukvård. Metod: Studien genomfördes som en litteraturöversikt och baserades på en kvantitativ och 14 kvalitativa vetenskapliga artiklar. Sökningar är utförda i databaserna CINAHL, PubMed och SveMed+. Resultat: Litteraturöversikten visade att vid transkulturella vårdmöten hade vissa sjuksköterskor ett holistiskt förhållningssätt vilket underlättade en förtroendefull vårdrelation med patienterna. Däremot ledde bristande kulturkompetens som sjuksköterskorna upplevde till en ständig utmaning och osäkerhet vid möte med patienter från andra kulturer. I dessa situationer ansåg sjuksköterskorna att missförstånd, misstolkningar eller felaktig patientvård kunde uppstå. Kroppsspråk, ögonkontakt och empati ansågs som viktiga redskap för att kompensera för språkbarriären och att ha resurser i någon form av tolk var önskvärt.Slutsats: Sjuksköterskor beskriver att ha en helhetssyn på människan underlättar vårdrelationen vid transkulturella vårdmöten. De beskriver även att vårdmöten präglas av svårigheter som uppkommer från kulturella och språkliga missuppfattningar som äventyrar vårdkvaliteten. Därför är det viktigt att sjuksköterskor får de resurser som behövs i form av kunskap, tid och tolk som kan främja ett systematiskt arbetssätt vid transkulturella vårdmöten inom hälso- och sjukvården. / Background: Due to globalization and migration, Sweden increasingly becomes a more multicultural society, which in turn increases the number of transcultural encounters taking place in the healthcare. Research has indicated that nurses experience difficulties facing the patients’ cultural and lingual background. Through awareness and appreciation of the challenges and opportunities, the nurses can develop knowledge and competence required for the promotion of transcultural care encounters. Aim: The purpose of the literature review is to describe the nurses’ experiences of transcultural encounters in health care. Methods: The study were conducted as a literature review and was based on one quantitative and 14 qualitative scientific articles. Searches are performed in the databases CINAHL, PubMed and SveMed+. Result: The literature review showed that during transcultural care some nurses had a holistic approach which facilitated a trusting relationship with the patients. On the other hand, the lack of cultural competence that the nurses experienced led to a constant challenge and uncertainty when encountering patients from other cultures. In these situations the nurses considered that misunderstandings, misinterpretations or incorrect patient care could occur. Body language, eye contact and empathy were considered important tools to compensate for the language barrier, and to have resources in some form of interpreter was desirable. Conclusion: Nurses describe that having a holistic view of the human being facilitates the care relationship in transcultural care encounters. They also point out that difficulties arise related to cultural and linguistic misconceptions which jeopardize the quality of the healthcare. Consequently, it is important that resources such as knowledge, interpreter and required time are made available for the nurses in order to promote a systematic approach during transcultural care encounters in the healthcare sector.

Appalachian clients are often ‘invisible’ within the majority culture and possess characteristics unique to the region that must be considered within the counseling relationship (Tang & Russ, 2007). Individuals in Appalachia have higher incidences of certain mental health disorders and substance use as compared to the national average (Appalachian Regional Commission [ARC], 2008). Although the need for mental health services is evident, limited research exists to inform mental health professionals how to deliver culturally competent interventions to build a working alliance with Appalachian clients. The authors will discuss a framework for mental health professionals to develop a strong working alliance through a review of the cultural distinctions of Appalachian individuals, culturally appropriate counseling interventions, and a case illustration.

Bakgrund: Antalet flyktingar i världen har ökat dramatisk under det senaste decenniet. Detta ställer krav på sjuksköterskor som tar emot flyktingar i olika vårdkontexter. Mötet med en patient med flyktingbakgrund färgas av patientens tidigare erfarenheter som inte sällan är traumatiska. För att stödja sjuksköterskors arbete att tillgodose personcentrerad vård till dessa patienter kan implementering av kulturell kompetens och transkulturell omvårdnad komma till nytta. Syfte: Att beskriva sjuksköterskors upplevelser av att vårda flyktingar. Metod: Studien är en litteraturöversikt med kvalitativ ansats där 10 vetenskapliga artiklar utgör underlaget för resultatet. Resultat: Fyra huvudteman presenteras: Unik omvårdnadssituation, Ett utmanande arbete, Känslan av att inte räcka till och Behov av kunskap och information. Sjuksköterskor upplever att vårda flyktingar som ett krävande arbete med flera utmaningar såsom språk och kulturskillnader. I resultat framkommer även att sjuksköterskor upplever att de saknar kompetens och kunskap vilket genererar känslor som stress och frustration. Konklusion: Sjuksköterskor är i behov av mer stöd och resurser för att kunna tillgodose en personcentrerad vård för flyktingar. / Background: The number of refugees in the world has increased dramatically through the last decade. This puts pressure on nurses attending to refugees in different health care settings. Encounters with refugee patients are influenced by the patient’s past experiences that are often traumatic. Implementing cultural competence and transcultural nursing in nursing practice, can be benificial for nurses working with refugees. Aim: To describe nurses’experiences of caring for refugees. Method: This study is a literature review with a qualitative approach based on 10 scientific articles. Findings: Four main themes are presented: Unique nursing situation, The challenges of caring forrefugees, Feeling inadequate and A need for knowledge and information. Nurses experience the work with refugees as demanding with challenges such as language-and cultural differences. The results also show that nurses feel that they lack competence and knowledge which generate feelings of stress and frustration. Conclusion: Nurses are in need of more support and resources in order to cater a person-centered care for refugees.