Effective Multicultural Teams: Theory and Practice

ISBN-13: 9781402086977 / Angielski / Miękka / 2008 / 292 str.

Claire B. Halverson; S. Aqeel Tirmizi

Opis

Multicultural and multinational teams have become an important strategic and structural element of organizational work in our globalized world today. These teams are demonstrating their importance from the factory floors to the boardrooms of contemporary organizations. The emergence of multicultural teams is evident across a variety of organizations in the private, public, and civil society sectors. These developments have led to an increasing interest in the theory and practice of multicultural teams. Management educational and training programs are giving increasing attention to these developments. At the same time, there is emerging interest in research about and study of multicultural teams. This book emerged from our teaching, research, and consulting with multic- tural and diverse teams in multiple sectors over the last several years. In particular, we have developed and refined our ideas about the concepts in this book from teaching an advanced course called Effective Multicultural Teams in the Graduate Program at the School for International Training (SIT) in Vermont. We have learned from the rich background of students who are from, and have worked in, six con- nents, and who are, or plan to be, working in the public, educational, not-for-profit, and for-profit sectors. Additionally, we have engaged with a variety of teams through our consulting and training, providing consultation to teams in a variety of sectors and continents as they struggled to become more effective.

Spis treści

Preface. Acknowledgements. Chapter 1: Towards Understanding Multicultural Teams, Aqeel Tirmizi. - Introduction. - Learning Objectives. - Emergence and Study of Multicultural Teams as a Discipline. - Teams Defined. - Types of Teams. - Multicultural Teams and Team Performance. - A Model of Multicultural Team Effectiveness. - Relevant Compentencies. - Summary. - Case Study. - Multicultural Team Effectiveness Inventory. - References. - Chapter 2: The Impact of Culture in Multicultural Teams, Aqeel Tirmizi. - Introduction. - Learning Objectives. - Defining culture: The Challenges Involved. - Cultural Values Frameworks. - An Integration of Cultural Frameworks for Multicultural Teams. - Summary. - Relevant Competencies. - Case Study. - Cultural Context Inventory. - Cultural Context Inventory Scoring Sheet. - Cultural Contaxt Inventory Characteristics Sheet. - References. - Chapter 3: Social Identity Group and Individual Behavior, Claire B. Halverson. - Introduction. Learning Objectives. - The Impact of Social Identity. - Personality. - Multiple Intelligences. - Case Study. - Changing Oneself to Improve Team Effectiveness. - Relevant Competencies. - Summary. - Case Studies. - Assessment Instruments. - References. - Chapter 4: Team Development, Claire B. Halverson. - Introduction. - Overview of Team Development Models. - The Five Stage Model. - Critique of the Five Stage Model. - Punctuated Equilibrium Model. - Team Building. - Relevant Competencies. - Summary. - Case Study. - Assessment Instruments. - References. - Chapter 5: Group Process and Meetings, Claire B. Halverson. - Introduction. - Learning Objectives. - Overt and Covert Group Process. - Power and Group Processes. - Components of Team Process. - Formal and Informal Roles in Teams. - Observing Team Process. - Meetings. - Relevant Competencies. - Summary. - Case Studies. - Assessment Instruments. - References. - Chapter 6: Effetive Leadership for Multicultural Teams, Ken Williams. - Introduction. - Learning Objectives. - Defining Leadership. - Power and Influence in Multicultural Teams. - Case Study. - Influence Tactics. - Cultural Orientations to Power. - Power Styles in Teams. - Differentiating Leadership from Management and Facilitation. - Effective Team Leadership. - Cultural Issues. - Gender Identity Issues. - Approaches to Leadership. - Shared Leadership. - Summary. - Relevant Competencies. - Case Study. - Assessment Instrument. - References. - Chapter 7: Effective Intercultural Communication, Teressa Moore Griffin. - Introduction. - Learning Objectives. - The Functions of Communication on Multicultural Teams. - Communication Models. - Formal and Informal Communication. - Communication Structures Used by Teams. - Modes of Communication. - Virtual Teams and Communication. - Considerations Concerning a Team's Communication Culture. - Enhancing Competency as an Intercultural Communicator. - Using Feedbck - a Powerful Communication Tool. - Summary. - Case Studies. - Assessment Instruments. - References. - Chapter 8: Conflict, John Ungerleider. - Introduction. - Learning Objectives. - Defining Conflict. - Conflict in Stages of Group Development. - Personal Styles of Addressing Conflict. - Cultural Styles of Dealing with Conflict. - Conflict through the Lens of Culture. - Identity Issues. - Approaches to Conflict Resolution. - Collaborative Conflict Transformation on Teams: Communication Skills for Dialogue. - Summary. - Relevant Competencies. - Case Studies. - Assessment Instruments. - References. - Chapter 9: Problem Solving and Decision Making, Linda Drake Gobbo. - Introduction. - Learning Objectives. - What is Problem Solving? - Case Study. - The Synergis

Blurb

This book offers something that few other textbooks do: an accessible and understandable approach to discern the implications of complicated research.  It will be a useful resource in courses on team building, multicultural and international issues at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. I was most impressed with the use of research from so many different cultures. Too often we take a Western, or even a U.S., perspective and assume that our way is the best way without understanding the cultural contexts. This material certainly avoids that trap.

Roger Ritvo, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor of Management, Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Using a fascinating journey of real life stories, a solid theoretical overview, and practical tools, Halverson and Tirmizi take us deep into the setup of different cultures, how they function, sources of potential collisions, and how best to benefit from this wonderful diversity that
today's globalization provides.  In today's growing globalization, this unprecedented comprehensive book is a must have for all individuals, teams, and organizations that seek to capitalize on the rich diversity of culturally diverse teams.

Nader Tadros, Founder and Director, People’s Advocacy, Fairfax, Virginia, USA, Formerly Middle East Director, America's Development Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
 

Effective Multicultural Teams: Theory and Practice is a profound, powerful and fascinating text for graduate students who want to have a better understanding of the basics of multicultural teams. This book is the result of several years of teaching, consulting and researching by the authors on various relevant issues of multicultural teams. The breadth and depth of coverage of this book are extraordinary and its educational importance cannot be over estimated. It offers a comprehensive approach for creating an effective bridge between theory and practice. In today’s globalized market economy, both profit and non-profit sectors are emphasizing performance improvement at all levels of their activities and this cannot be achieved without maximizing the benefits of cultural diversity. On many aspects this publication goes beyond the simple quick fixes of high performing multicultural teams by adding life experiences which are inspirational and practical.

Md. Golam Samdani Fakir, Ph.D, Visiting Professor, School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont, USA, Director, BRAC Training Division and, Adjunct Faculty at BRAC University, Bangladesh