International project team (work place diversity)
- Overview
I was selected as the project manager and am among the top users of an IT system that is currently underway. The system developers are multi-cultural since the company is partnering with workers from Argentina these workers are scattered all over the US. The project is underway since we have identified all the key players. However, team spirit is lacking among these workers due to their cultural diversity. Following recent readings, I have been doing I found out that other organizations have been using web 2.0 technologies to overcome issues affecting their employees, therefore, I initiated the use of Social Networking Sites to help bring teamwork among these geographically scattered employees.
- IT International Division Partner
- The country and culture of our IT partner
We choose to partner with Argentina when the culture of the country is explored through the 6-D model it shows; the Power Distance Index is at 49 meaning the country sits on the low end of this index, this shows that the less powerful members of an organization do not accept power to be shared unequally. On Individualism, the degree of interdependence society maintains among its members, Argentina has a score of 46, which is in the middle ranking, this ranking clearly shows that workers in the country are more individualistic, where people look out for themselves and their family members.
Our partners score on Masculinity is 56, this shows that masculine elements in the country are more than feminine elements, this means that our partner country’s workers work towards achievements & success. Lastly, the society is driven by competition. On the Uncertainty Avoidance Index the country has a high score of 86, this dimension has to do with the fact that the future is unknown but should it be controlled or should people sit down and let it happen. This high score indicated that the country needs a strong legal system, it also shows that the country has a sizeable black market. Lastly, it indicates that corruption is widely spread.
The country has a very low score of 20 on Long-term Orientation Index, which shows how society maintains its links with the past as it deals with the present and the future. These scores show that the country has a normative culture and exhibit great respect for their culture and focus on achieving quick results and measure their businesses on a short-term basis. The country has a high score of 62 in indulgence, which is the extent to which people try and control the desire and impulses they have. Workers have a positive attitude. The people in the country place a high value on leisure activities and are very spendthrift and have a weak control over their urges.
- Comparison between the culture of our workers and the culture of the workers of our partners from Argentina.
The US is at 40 on the Power Distance Index while Argentina is at 46 on the Power Distance Index, the interpretation of the Power Distance Index of these two countries is similar, the society’s level of inequality is endorsed by the followers and the leaders equally. The US has a score of 91 on the Individualism this shows that the individuals are not concerned only for the self and their families like the society of Argentina but are concerned for everyone. The US has a high score on Masculinity, 62 which can relate to that of Argentina 56, these two societies are driven by competition and success. Unlike our partnering country which has a high score on The Uncertainty Avoidance Index, the US has a very low score on of 46 on this index, this shows that they do not need a strong legal system to structure their way of life.
On the Long-Term Orientation Index, the US a low score of 26, which makes it fall in the same bar as our partners since they have a low score of 20. This means that they also attach great value to their past as they figure their present and future. And measure their businesses on a short-term basis. On indulgence these two countries are at the same level as that of the US being slightly high at 68, and our partnering country at 62, like Argentina they have weak control of their urges.
- An issue that could impact the success of the project.
The fact that the team is scattered domestically and internationally problems due to different cultures are likely to arise. Team building will be an issue impacting our project in a negative way due to the difference in culture. On the individualism these two countries are very much different. Our partnering country is more individualistic and people look out for themselves and their families, the country has a score of 46 on individualism, people are more individualistic workers from the US are more collective and look out for others in terms of groups and organization, the country has a score of 91 on individualism. This might hinder teamwork and with no teamwork our project will experience a downfall.
- Web 2.0 Tool and solution to our Issue.
I have been reading a variety of issues facing today’s employees and how organizations have been able to solve their issues using Web 2.0 technologies such as the use of social networking sites, and utilizing Social Networking Sites can help the team solve the problem of lack of team spirit and team motivation. Social Networking Sites will play an important role in how these culturally different workers will interact. These platforms will be utilized to bring these workers together so as to promote a sense of community, creating a community of workers will enhance collaboration, which is the force that brings together team work. Social Networking Sites will be used for team bonding, the team will communicate and create virtual boards where they can share their hobbies, plans and interests, all these will further their interests in each other and encourage team spirit.
- Personal reflection
This research has helped change my belief that people with diverse cultures cannot work together under any condition. In conclusion, I found out that international projects can be carried out by workers with diverse cultures.
