This dissertation investigates whether cultural competence, defined as a person’s ability to interact effectively with others from a different cultural background or in a cross-cultural setting, predicts expatriate adjustment and job performance more effectively than other individual-level predictors such as personality and local language proficiency. Rather than simply focusing on the predictive validity of cultural competence, this study also explores a process model that could explain the link between cultural competence and expatriate job performance by proposing a mediating variable of cross-cultural adjustment. Lastly, in a more integrated way, this study examines how the relationship between expatriate adjustment and job performance may be better understood by two potential moderating variables: conscientiousness and expatriate assignment nature. For testing the proposed hypotheses, expatriates in a Fortune 500 company were invited to participate in a web-based survey. Responses about their international assignment experience were obtained from 338 expatriates located in 43 countries, and their supervisors. A set of multiple regression analyses were conducted and three major findings emerged. First, the analyses confirmed the important role of some individual difference such as conscientiousness and local language proficiency in expatriate assignment effectiveness, consistent with the literature. Second, the results showed the unique roles of some cultural competence dimensions in predicting expatriate adjustment and job performance, beyond the effects of other important individual-level variables. Lastly, the results also demonstrated a process model of the effect of motivational cultural competence on expatriate job performance: motivational cultural competence works through work adjustment to influence expatriate job performance. Taken together, these findings provide more comprehensive knowledge about whether and how certain individual differences are related more effectively to expatriate assignment effectiveness. In practical terms, this research has implications regarding expatriate selection and development, in order to improve the chances of success in international assignments.

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ABSTRACT Title: Cross-cultural management in international construction projects: Case study of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc. Level: Final assignment for Master Degree in Business Administration Author: Yuan Liu, You Li Supervisor: Aihie Osarenkhoe Examinor: Maria Fregidon-Malama Date: 2014.04.18 Aim : This study presents the characteristic and current status of the international construction projects, and figure out which barriers caused by cross-cultural differences the multinational corporations and enterprise would face, as well as the solutions for these barriers. Method: This study was carried out by using a qualitative and quantitative research method. We gathered relevant information by conducting questionnaire to Chinese employees working in Congo, Rep and interviews which include four managers of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc (CMICGI). By comparing the literature review and finding, we find barriers caused by cross cultural differences and relevant solutions. Result & Conclusions : Through the literature review associating with the analysis of the questionnaire and interview, we find out that there are nine barriers in the project, the reason why they appeared and how them influence the projects. We also find solutions to solve the barriers. Suggestions for future research: This study restricted to geographical and time, it only included one company and one country. More cases can be concluded in future research. Contributions for the study: The study results show how barrier case of cross-cultural different impact in international construction project. We also - 3 - contribute the evaluation for each barrier. Cultural differences between multinational trading are frequently neglected by firms but have a significant impact. Our research can help more companies to find some problems which they usually ignored. KEYWORDS — Cross-cultural management, Barriers, Cross-cultural difference, International construction projects, Identification, Evaluation

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<p><strong><p>Seminar Date: 28th May, 2010 <strong></strong></p><p>Level: Master Thesis – EFO705 <strong></strong></p><p>Program: MIMA – International Business and Entrepreneurship <strong></strong></p><p>Authors: Alisa Pongsriwat & Wissawa Aunyawong <strong></strong></p><p>Title: Cross Institutional and Cultural Barriers: The opportunity of Thai entrepreneurs in doing business in Sweden - <em>Case study of Restaurant business <strong></strong></em></p><p>Tutor: Sune Tjernström <strong></strong></p><p>Background: Doing Thai Restaurant in Sweden seems to be opportunity of Thai entrepreneurs as there are potential trend leading to business success and many advantages supporting investment. However, cross institutional and cultural barriers can cause business failure. <strong></strong></p><p>Research Problem:´How can Thai entrepreneur overcome the cross institutional and cultural barriers for successfully running restaurant business in Sweden to beat in Swedish market? <strong></strong></p><p>Purpose: Our purpose is to understand and explain the cross cultural barriers in doing Thai restaurant business in Sweden in the context of cultures embedded in both Thailand and Sweden. The foundation of our research is based on the case study of Thai food restaurants in Sweden. <strong></strong></p><p>Method: Our research is mainly based on qualitative research using the case study and the secondary information gathered during the research. We have also taken into account some primary information by conducting three semi-structured interviews from the Thai owners of Thai restaurants in different locations in Sweden. All the information collected during the course of our research has been analyzed and has finally led us to a conclusion. <strong></strong></p><p>Conclusion: After the analysis of outcomes, both from the interviews and the secondary information conducted, we concluded that Thai entrepreneurs need to strictly follow the laws and regulations of Sweden because they cannot be changed. They also need to adapt some norms and cultures but not too much in order to maintain Thai uniqueness as competitive advantage in Swedish market. We have recommended that Thai entrepreneurs should recognize the key characteristics between Thai and Swede as the key successful business. <strong></strong></p><p>Contribution: Our research will give the useful information and practical recommendations in the future to the Thai entrepreneurs in Thailand, who are interesting in doing business in Sweden in order to seeking new opportunity.</p></strong></p><p> </p>

This thesis investigates development of generic capabilities in an RMIT undergraduate logistics degree program. Generic capabilities are those general graduate attributes that are not specifically discipline-focused, examples being communication and teamwork skills. A major research objective of this thesis is the extent to which graduates perceived that generic capabilities were developed in their RMIT logistics undergraduate program, specifically in a cross-cultural context spanning a range of organisations differing in size and ownership structure. The thesis involves two studies. In Study 1 managers from eight organisations, ranging in size from multi-national to small public and private (family-owned) companies were interviewed to develop a series of qualitative organisational case studies using grounded theory methodology. Study 2 is a quantitative survey of 31 Australian and 25 Asian (Singapore and Hong Kong) logistic graduates from 1996 to 2002. In Study 1, generic capabilities rankings in different organisations varied, depending on whether managers being interviewed were operational or human resource management specialists, but there was general agreement that communication, problem-solving, initiative and enterprise, and teamwork skills were highest priority. Study 2 results indicate that the views of both Asian and Australian graduates are in line with the management rankings, and are consistent with those reported by Australian and OECD government and industry research organisations. Both graduate groups agree that generic capabilities are covered in the RMIT logistic program, but ratings are generally in an 'adequate' to 'good' range, with no outstanding features. Although cultural diversity in the student body is seen as a major benefit, there are little data indicating a high level of Australian and Asian student networking, and a number of respondents are critical of a lack of international focus in the present program. A major issue is a n eed for more emphasis on presentation and problem-solving skills so graduates are able to carry through a project from initiation to completion.

Seminar Date: 28th May, 2010 Level: Master Thesis – EFO705 Program: MIMA – International Business and Entrepreneurship Authors: Alisa Pongsriwat &amp; Wissawa Aunyawong Title: Cross Institutional and Cultural Barriers: The opportunity of Thai entrepreneurs in doing business in Sweden - Case study of Restaurant business Tutor: Sune Tjernström Background: Doing Thai Restaurant in Sweden seems to be opportunity of Thai entrepreneurs as there are potential trend leading to business success and many advantages supporting investment. However, cross institutional and cultural barriers can cause business failure. Research Problem:´How can Thai entrepreneur overcome the cross institutional and cultural barriers for successfully running restaurant business in Sweden to beat in Swedish market? Purpose: Our purpose is to understand and explain the cross cultural barriers in doing Thai restaurant business in Sweden in the context of cultures embedded in both Thailand and Sweden. The foundation of our research is based on the case study of Thai food restaurants in Sweden. Method: Our research is mainly based on qualitative research using the case study and the secondary information gathered during the research. We have also taken into account some primary information by conducting three semi-structured interviews from the Thai owners of Thai restaurants in different locations in Sweden. All the information collected during the course of our research has been analyzed and has finally led us to a conclusion. Conclusion: After the analysis of outcomes, both from the interviews and the secondary information conducted, we concluded that Thai entrepreneurs need to strictly follow the laws and regulations of Sweden because they cannot be changed. They also need to adapt some norms and cultures but not too much in order to maintain Thai uniqueness as competitive advantage in Swedish market. We have recommended that Thai entrepreneurs should recognize the key characteristics between Thai and Swede as the key successful business. Contribution: Our research will give the useful information and practical recommendations in the future to the Thai entrepreneurs in Thailand, who are interesting in doing business in Sweden in order to seeking new opportunity.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze and study how Swedish managers manage cross-cultural differences and how their management style is adapted to foreign cultures. This thesis could contribute to getting a deeper understanding of how Swedish management is adapted to foreign cultures. The empirical material in this study has been collected through qualitative interviews with four different Swedish managers with experience of managing abroad. The theoretical framework is based on the concepts cultural dimensions, management and cross-cultural adaptation which also are the three concepts in our conceptual framework. The conceptual framework is present in the interview template, the empirical chapter and the analysis to provide the thesis with a clear line of argument. The empirical chapter describes how the Swedish managers have dealt with the challenges of working in a foreign culture and how they have adapted their management to another culture.In the analysis the empirical material is analyzed with the help of the theoretical framework. In the analysis the effect of cultural dimensions is discussed in relations to Swedish management and which challenges a Swedish manager encounter when managing abroad. The conclusion indicates that Swedish managers seem to adapt their management style to the extent that they have to be more clear and strict in their management and they have to make a lot more decisions. It seems to be a linkage between to what extent Swedish mangers have to adapt their management style to the local culture and what kind of management position they have.

The fabric of the workforce is changing. Indeed, domestic managers are working with an increasingly multicultural workforce at home while managers who travel abroad often work with people from multiple cultures. Concurrently, managers are often required to work with people in organizations that span across geographic boundaries, located in various time zones, relying mainly on information technology. However, empirical guidelines to train managers facing these challenges are scant as management typologies fall short when it comes to identifying the skills needed for simultaneously working with people from multiple cultural backgrounds.The goal of this study was to identify a repertoire of multicultural managerial competencies for work at home and abroad, in face-to-face contexts and via the use of technology. Using competency modeling as a conceptual framework, we enlisted the help of 20 mid- to upper-level managers who were invited to participate in individual behavioral event interviews to discuss positive and negative critical incidents and to answer questions grounded in job analysis. Data was analyzed using thematic (content) analysis based on a mixed method, a process that mostly illustrated the emergence of new competencies. ATLAS.ti was then used to code transcripts and to cross-reference behaviors according to emerging competency categories. Managers were then invited to validate the relevance of the initial version of the typology and to confirm that no competencies or related behaviors were missing.The resulting Multicultural Managerial Competency (MMC) typology, outlining five competence categories that combine 12 competencies along with their 71 corresponding behavioral indicators, makes both theoretical and practical contributions while offering flexibility for application. Indeed, the MMC typology illustrates an overlap between management and intercultural/cross-cultural literature, confirming that managers in multicultural contexts are called upon to invest in the management of trusting relationships, in distance management, as well as in expatriate management. Multicultural elements also permeate classic business and team functions thereby giving management requirements a new form. In terms of practical applications, the MMC typology provides concrete behavioral indicators for managers to use as guidelines for competence and serves to inform the creation of university curricula in international management.