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© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
The meaning of
cultural differences in projects
From
Dr. Klaus Wagenhals
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
GPM- Project Group “IPA NEMA: International Project Activities – New Experiences, Methods & Approaches”
GoalCollect and evaluate information from individuals (project leaders,...) experienced in international project work
Which aspects will especially / always lead to problems?
Which strategies and tools are proposed to improve international project work?
Which additional support and tools are proposed?
What is the status of international project work in internationally active companies?
Development of the Questionnaire
Based on a previous survey by Prof. Nino Grau und Prof. Reschke (published
GPM PM-Forum Oct 2000)IPA NEMA WG Companies questionnaire
Version Feb 2001 and Version Oct 2001
Application of the Questionnaire
Responses from 50+ people in 40 different German companies - Broad range of different project types and branchesIn most cases project leaders, but as well
project coordinators or team membersMajority with > 5 years experiences in
international projectsExperiences in all regions worldwide (Europe,
Americas, Asia, other regions)
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Competences
0,00 1,00 2,00 3,00 4,00 5,00 6,00 7,00
Emotional Competence
Business & Product Competence
Leadership Competence
Intellectual Competence
Inter-Cultural Competence
Self-Management Competence
Social Competence
Language Competence
1=most, 8=least important
Average all 51 answers since March 2001Average 30 answers since Oct. 2001
Importance of Personal CompetencesSuccess in international projects is also a question of the personal competence of those who are involved. …
ranking order by numbering the competences serially, giving a ‘1’ to the most important competence and an ‘8’ to the least important!
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Problem Areas and Difficulties in International ProjectsWhere could (better) preparation and assistance of the project members be helpful for international projects? What do you have in mind specifically?
DifficultiesDifferent work
culture / work mentality
Different expectations about commitments, timing etc
LanguageDifferent
understanding and interpretation of terms
“german mindset”Long decision
processesLocal distribution
of project teamsDifferent legal and
fiscal rules and laws
Difficulties and improvement ideas in international projects
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Technical qualificationsWorking culture Political - legalspecialities
Local infrastructureProject Management Language others
(51 questionnaires)
main difficulties
possible improvements named improvement ideas
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
The Path To Cultural Competence
Build cultural sensitivity
Analyse own culture
Analyse “target” culture
Introduce system for understanding cultures
Develop ways to work with target culture
work with target culture
Performance
No
. of
Team
s
Low High
A B CInner nature Rel. To nature Rel. Toto time Activity
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Example from Running A Project Team
Team presents solution for review/discussion at regular intervals and receives updates on changing company needs from the sponsor
Sponsor keeps team on short leash; ''Do as I say''
Team works independently of sponsor
Au
tho
rity
Empowerment
Argue and fight!
Performance
No
. of
Team
s
HighLow
Goal: Develop integrated computer-based GT design system to reduce product development time by 50%
Project Team Origins: D, CH, PRC, USA, UK, IRL
Either / Or Perspective
Authority vs Empowerment
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Aspects of Culture
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Levels Of Culture
Adapted from E.H. Schein The Corporate Culture Survival Guide (1999)
Visible organisational structures and processes
Language, Rituals, Dress, Behaviours, etc.
Norms and espoused valuesStrategies, goals, philosophies, taboos
Basic underlying assumptionsUnconscious, taken-for-granted beliefs,
perceptions, thoughts and feelings
Visible(hard to decipher)
partly visible, partly subconscious (espoused justifications)
invisible, mostly subconscious(ultimate source of values and actions)
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Kluckhohn’s Five Basic Questions
Kluckhohn developed five questions to identify a culture’s basic assumptions:
– What is the character of innate human nature?– What is the relation of humans to nature? (relation to
surroundings)– What is the temporal focus of human life? (time
orientation)– What is the mode of human activity?– What is the mode of human relationships?
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Kluckhohn’s Model
Orientation Range
Human nature Basically evil or untrustworthy
Mixture of good and evil
Basically good
Relationship to nature
Humans are subservient to nature
Humans live in harmony with nature
Humans master nature
Sense of time Past-oriented Present-oriented
Future-oriented
Activity Being Growing Doing
Social relationships
Authoritarian Group-oriented
Individual
Table shows three possible orientations to the basic assumptions questions
Each culture displays a preference (and knows all orientations) Differences in orientation are often the root of internal resistance to,
stress and or rejection of an action proposed by someone else
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Kluckhohn In Terms Of ValuesHuman Nature Most people can't be trusted
Sense of Time
Activity
There are both evil people and good people in the world, and you have to check people out to find which they are.
Most people are basically pretty good at heart
Relationship to Nature
Life is largely determined by external forces such as God, fate or genetics. A person can't surpass the conditions life has set.
Humans should, in every way, live in complete harmony with nature.
Humans' challenge is to conquer and control nature. Everything from air conditioning to the “green revolution” has resulted from having met this challenge.
Humans should learn from history and attempt to emulate the glorious ages of the past.
The present moment is everything. Let's make the most of it. Don't worry about tomorrow, enjoy today.
Planning and goal setting make it possible to accomplish miracles. A little sacrifice today will bring a better tomorrow.
It is enough to just “be”. It's not necessary to accomplish great things in life to feel your life has been worthwhile.
Humans' main purpose for being placed on this earth is for their own inner development.
If people work hard and apply themselves fully, their efforts will be rewarded.
Social Relationships
Some people are born to lead others. There are leaders and followers.
Whenever I have a serious problem, I like to get the advice of my family or close friends on how best to solve it.
All people should have equal rights and complete control over their own destiny.
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Kluckhohn’s Model – Sample Results
Orienta-tion
Range
Humans
Nature
Time
Activity
Social
Orienta-tion
Range
Humans
Nature
Time
Activity
Social
US Americans Japanese
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Tips To Ease Cultural Adjustment• Travel in a spirit of humility and with a genuine desire to meet, talk with
local people.• Do not expect to find things as you have them at home . . . for you have
left your home to find things different.• Do not take anything too seriously . . . for an open mind is the beginning
of a fine international experience.• Do not let others get on your nerves . . . for you have come a long way to
learn as much as you can, to enjoy the experience, and to be a good ambassador .
• Read carefully the information in your cultural guide and from your host . . . those who have gone before you have good advice to share.
• Try not to worry . . . for one who worries has no pleasure.• Remember your passport so that you know where it is at all times . . . a
person without a passport is a person without a country.
© www.metisleadership.com (2006)
Tips To Ease Cultural Adjustment/2
• Do not judge the people of a country by the one person with whom you have had trouble . . . for this is unfair to the people as a whole.
• You shall remember that you are a guest in every land . . . for one who treats a host with respect will be treated as an honoured guest.
• Cultivate the habit of listening and observing• Realize that other people may have thought patterns and concepts
of time which are very different than yours - not inferior, just different.
• Be aware of the feelings of local people to prevent what might be offensive behaviour. For example, photography must be particularly respectful of persons.
• Make no promises to local, new friends that you cannot implement or carry through.
• Spend time reflecting on you daily experiences in order to deepen your understanding of your experiences.